Kapil, Laxman hail Rahane
New Delhi: Dec 24, 2015, DHNS
Ajinkya Rahane has impressed all and sundry in his short international career. His twin centuries at Feroz Shah Kotla stadium in the fourth Test against South Africa, in difficult conditions and against a quality attack, have further elevated his stature.
It was indeed a compliment to his astounding progress in all three formats of cricket, when former India captain Kapil Dev and former Test star VVS Laxman rated him a complete batsman.
"Every time he goes in, you end up saying 'he played better than I thought he would.’ The two hundreds he got in Delhi, I don't think we can forget them,” said Kapil during a promotional event organised by Star Sports ahead of India's limited overs tour to Australia
"The conditions were totally different; his game is not suited to this type of cricket. When you start getting runs in different formats and different conditions and situations, then you can call someone a complete cricketer. I think today Ajinkya Rahane has become a complete cricketer."
Laxman said he never doubted Rahane’s potential and felt his stint with Rajasthan Royals helped him evolve as a limited-overs batsman.
“He had lots of big scores in first-class cricket but he wasn't as suited to the one-day format compared to Test cricket. I believe the stint with Rajasthan Royals really helped him because he understood what is required to make him consistent. He is almost like a Tendulkar or a Rahul Dravid or Jacques Kallis, playing conventional cricket shots but he knows how to pace his innings, he knows what the risk-free options are. I think he's a complete player not only from a skill point of view but also from the mental aspect,” he said.
“He’s got a solid technique, because of which he can be successful in any condition. He also knows how to play the big shots and he's a very aggressive runner between the wickets.”
Laxman felt India has got solid chance to win the five-ODI and three T20 series with Australia following the retirements of Michael Clarke, Mitchell Johnson and Brad Haddin and the absence of the injured Mitchell Starc.
"It’s a very vulnerable batting line-up, and so is the bowling," he said. "Pat Cummins or (Josh) Hazlewood aren't as experienced as Mitchell Johnson or Starc,” he said.
“During the World Cup, the Indian bowlers impressed with their lines but erred in their length by bowling short to Australia in semifinals. If they can adjust the length and bowl with the same aggressive attitude, this bowling attack will trouble this Australian batting line-up.”
DH News Service
It was indeed a compliment to his astounding progress in all three formats of cricket, when former India captain Kapil Dev and former Test star VVS Laxman rated him a complete batsman.
"Every time he goes in, you end up saying 'he played better than I thought he would.’ The two hundreds he got in Delhi, I don't think we can forget them,” said Kapil during a promotional event organised by Star Sports ahead of India's limited overs tour to Australia
"The conditions were totally different; his game is not suited to this type of cricket. When you start getting runs in different formats and different conditions and situations, then you can call someone a complete cricketer. I think today Ajinkya Rahane has become a complete cricketer."
Laxman said he never doubted Rahane’s potential and felt his stint with Rajasthan Royals helped him evolve as a limited-overs batsman.
“He had lots of big scores in first-class cricket but he wasn't as suited to the one-day format compared to Test cricket. I believe the stint with Rajasthan Royals really helped him because he understood what is required to make him consistent. He is almost like a Tendulkar or a Rahul Dravid or Jacques Kallis, playing conventional cricket shots but he knows how to pace his innings, he knows what the risk-free options are. I think he's a complete player not only from a skill point of view but also from the mental aspect,” he said.
“He’s got a solid technique, because of which he can be successful in any condition. He also knows how to play the big shots and he's a very aggressive runner between the wickets.”
Laxman felt India has got solid chance to win the five-ODI and three T20 series with Australia following the retirements of Michael Clarke, Mitchell Johnson and Brad Haddin and the absence of the injured Mitchell Starc.
"It’s a very vulnerable batting line-up, and so is the bowling," he said. "Pat Cummins or (Josh) Hazlewood aren't as experienced as Mitchell Johnson or Starc,” he said.
“During the World Cup, the Indian bowlers impressed with their lines but erred in their length by bowling short to Australia in semifinals. If they can adjust the length and bowl with the same aggressive attitude, this bowling attack will trouble this Australian batting line-up.”
DH News Service
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