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The veteran Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane is back in his previous role as vice-captain of Team India for the upcoming two-match Test series against West Indies. Serving as Rohit Sharma’s deputy in the red-ball assignment, Rahane will have a lot of expectations on his shoulders. India will lock horns with the hosts in the first of the two-match Test series at Windsor Park in Dominica.
Notably, the Test series against West Indies will be the first assignment of India in the new World Test Championship cycle of 2023-25. Coming back to Rahane, he spoke about team India’s preparations and his comeback to the side as vice-captain after a long hiatus.
"We have had good preparation. We played a nice practice match. We as a team respect West Indies. They are not the ones to be taken lightly. West Indies has performed well at home during the last couple of years or so, especially in Tests. We are looking to give our 100 per cent and backing our gameplan and strengths," said Rahane during the pre-match press conference.
“I am used to this role. I was vice-captain for 4-5 years. I am really happy to be back in the team, really happy to be back as vice-captain. I am still young, still, a lot of cricket left in me. My IPL was good, and so was my domestic cricket season. Currently, I am really enjoying my cricket. I do not want to think much about the future. Now, every match is important, be it for me or from the team's point of view. I am focusing on that," he added while talking about the vice-captaincy role.
I am so happy for Jaiswal: Ajinkya Rahane
Apart from this, Rahane also spoke about the maiden India call-up for the young uncapped batter Yashasvi Jaiswal who will be starting his international career with a debut in the first Test match of the series.
"I am so happy for Jaiswal, he has worked so hard, scored runs for Mumbai in domestic cricket and the IPL. He is an exciting talent and the way he is batting is nice. My message to him is that he expresses himself while batting, plays with freedom, and does not think much about the fact that he is playing international cricket," said Rahane.