Colombo Test: We need to be patient on Day 5, says Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane

Colombo: Indian batsman Ajinkya Rahane yesterday said that his team will have to bowl with a lot of patience on fifth day today in their pursuit of victory in the second Test against Sri Lanka here.

Chasing 413, Sri Lanka finished Day Four at 72-2, needing another 341 runs for victory, while India need to get eight more wickets for a win.

India's Ajinkya Rahane celebrates his century against Sri Lanka yesterday. PIC/SOLARIS IMAGES

"I think the match is poised pretty well. We just have to be in the present because throughout the four days we played some good cricket," said Rahane after the fourth day's play.

"It is important to be in the present. And tomorrow, we need to take it one wicket at a time. We just need to be patient, that will be the key, because this wicket is getting slower and slower. There will be good partnerships but one good session for us and we can win this Test," he added.

Having played a stellar role to take India to a total of 325 for eight declared in their second innings, thereby taking an overall lead of 412 runs, Rahane (126) said his partnerships with Murali Vijay (82) and Rohit Sharma (34) proved to be crucial.

"Building a partnership was the crucial aspect of our batting today. Vijay was batting well at the other end and our communication was very good. We were talking a lot in the middle. The partnership between Rohit and me was also very crucial," pointed Rahane.

"Even in the first innings, Virat (Kohli) and (KL) Rahul played very positively. I think the partnership between Vijay and myself gave us that momentum. Virat and Rohit came in and took their time. I feel that intent has to be there and results will follow automatically," he added.

This was Rahane's first Test ton in the subcontinent, with the previous three coming in New Zealand, England and Australia.
Rahane batted at a new position in this Test - number three - after Rohit was moved down the order to number five.

Asked if he had any preference for a particular batting spot, the batsman replied, "I fit in everywhere, so my aim is to bat wherever the team feels it is right. But batting at number three gave me a lot of happiness. "I think my focus and concentration level was very good in the second innings, and as a Test batsman that hunger for runs was there. I am happy to bat at number three and score a hundred for my team."

India were leading by 370-odd runs going into tea but they still came out to bat for another nine overs after the break, which led to some debate over India's timing of declaration but Rahane said the 400-plus total give the team confidence.