He has been a calming influence for India in the opening slot, proof of which was visible during his half-century knock in the fourth ODI against West Indies, but consistency is something Ajinkya Rahane is striving for to cement his place in the national team.
Opening the batting, Rahane scored a stroke-filled 68 off 79 balls and was on course for a century before his innings was cut short by Sulieman Benn in the fourth ODI.
But Virat Kohli smashed 127 off 114 balls and together with Suresh Raina (71) stitched 138 runs for the third wicket to set up a 59-run win for India on Friday.
Asked Rahane to judge his progression as a batsman, the Mumbai cricketer said his main focus is now to convert starts into big scores.
"I have always tried my best to improve certain aspects of my game and pick certain bits and pieces from practice sessions and the matches that I play. From the previous tours till now I have realised that consistency will be an important factor. I have often got starts for the team but not been able to convert them into big ones.
'Opening the batting is an important slot'
"I realise that if I get a big score opening the innings, it will only help the team's cause. I would want to get a lot more consistent," he was quoted as saying by 'bcci.tv'.
"To bring that consistency, my focus has been to keep up the momentum that I attained till I reached a score of 30 or 40. At the same time I have realised that I need to play risk free cricket and back myself to play proper cricketing shots.
“Opening the batting is an important slot in the batting order because it is the openers who set up the platform for the team during a run-chase or while setting a target. For improving my concentration I meditate and read books," he said.
'It is always good to have healthy competition'
Presently, there is huge competition in the Indian team for openers' slot and Rahane said it is always welcome to see healthy competition for places in a side.
"It is always good to have healthy competition when you are playing for your country. You need to accept it as a challenge especially at this stage when you are playing tough cricket. I enjoy the competition.
"Mahendra Singh Dhoni had a chat with me and asked me to back my strengths and play according to them. I am at the moment concentrating on backing my own game and performing to my potential. I always try to focus on the present and work towards it rather than thinking about the future tours," Rahane said.
'The success hasn't come easy though'
Rahane was also delighted that India put up a spirited fightback against the West Indies after losing the first ODI in Kochi. The hosts drew parity in the series at New Delhi before sealing the rubber here on Friday.
The series, originally planned as a five-match affair, ended 2-1 in favour of India after the third ODI at Visakhapatnam was abandoned due to cyclone 'Hudhud' and the remainder of the tour getting forfeited because of the West Indies' sudden cancellation due to a payment dispute with their Board before the fifth and final ODI at Kolkata.
"It is a wonderful feeling to have won in such a manner. The success hasn't come easy though. We showed a lot of character as a team after being 0-1 down in the series. Personally I have learnt a lot from this series as well," Rahane said.
'I have learnt a lot observing Raina and Kohli’'
Rahane had words of appreciation for Virat Kohli and Raina and said he is trying to incorporate a few qualities from the duo in his own batting.
"I have learnt a lot observing Raina and Kohli. They are like senior cricketers to me and I have noticed the way they approach a situation be it in practice sessions or during a match. The thing about Virat and Raina is that they score runs playing proper cricketing shots. I have a similar kind of game and slowly I am trying to imbibe a few qualities from them," revealed Rahane.
