Promising India batsman Ajinkya Rahane is disappointed to miss out a hundred by a whisker but said his match winning 98-run knock which helped Rajasthan Royals to notch up a 31-run victory over Kings XI Punjab in IPL5 was very satisfying.
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Rahane rated the 66-ball innings as one of his best and also praised new skipper Rahul Dravid, whom he considers his role model.u00a0
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"Yes, I am bit disappointed for missing a hundred but a match winning 98 is also satisfying. I don't rate it as my best knock but certainly it one of the best. My 61 against England was also equally good innings," Rahane said after the match last night.
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Ajinkya Rahane scored a 66-ball 98 against Kings XI Punjab. Photo: AFPu00a0
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"Regarding the wicket the ball was coming nicely on to the bat and stroke making was easy. Skipper Rahul Dravid was a source of inspiration. It is proud moment for me to bat with him as he has been my idol," said Rahane.u00a0
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Rahane said Dravid and he didn't have any particular plan and just looked to stitch a long opening partnership.u00a0
"There were no defined role for us and I was striking the ball well so he was giving me more of the strike and I too would have done so had I been not in good
touch," he said.u00a0
"Our plan was to put up a good opening partnership and had decided to bat on at least till the first power play. We were not having any particular plan but
thinking of just one ball at a time.u00a0
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"Dravid kept on motivating me from the other end. We have a good understanding and he had prompted me to play full 20 overs," said Rahane, who has been among the most successful batsmen in domestic cricket.u00a0
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Asked how far this knock would help him to earn a place in the Indian Team, Rahane said: "IPL is a big platform and performance in it is closely watched in other countries too. I want to give my 100 per cent in every match.u00a0
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"Jaipur has been lucky for me and I had made a few good scores here including a ton in Irani Trophy. I wish to be more consistent and play long innings," he added.
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