'This series is a great opportunity for all to express themselves'

Having guided India to a comfortable seven-wicket victory against Bangladesh, the talented Ajinkya Rahane said that he would like focus on one match at a time without looking too far ahead. 

"This (series) is a great opportunity for everyone to just express themselves. We don't want to put too much pressure on ourselves," Rahane said. 

The Mumbai youngster said that first game of any series is a challenge and it was a good feeling to come up trumps against a good side like Bangladesh. 

"Obviously, as a batsman you need that confidence going into a new series and the first game against Bangladesh in Bangladesh is always a challenge because they are a good team and they play well here."

Questioned if it is a chance for the fringe players and the non-regulars to make a statement, Rahane felt otherwise. 

"Every international game will count. So we are not thinking about it (making a statements). Whoever is here, they did really well in domestic cricket and that's why they are here. I think youngsters and the newcomers are really talented and really hard working. The two debutants did really well too. It's a good learning experience for everyone." 

Rahane anchored the innings with a well-crafted 64 but would have been happier had he been not out in the end. 

"I wanted to be not out till the end. Happy that we won the game though," he said. "That's what we wanted. We've got that momentum now and we just want to continue with it. We're not looking too far ahead. Right now, we are just focusing on the next two games.

The 26-year-old's endeavour is to improve with each and every match. 

"We want to back our game and personally I am not thinking too far ahead. I just want to bat well and improve my game with every match."
The right-hander feels that the Indian bowlers did a good job on a flat track in challenging situations despite leaking 43 runs in the death overs. 

"All these things (runs in death overs) happen in this heat. It is really challenging and I thought the bowlers did well in this challenging situation." He was all praise for his skipper Suresh Raina's bowling changes under the constraints that he had. 

"Raina supported all the bowlers really well because it was really hot and challenging for them in the first half of the game. I think backing and supporting them is going to be really crucial in the next two games."