Test Cricket is called an elite format since this format is played for more than 100 years and has gained immense popularity. During 20th century test cricket was the only format that made the sport popular.
Many players became legends by playing test cricket and this format teaches you how cricket should be played, it tests your patience and improves your skills.
Ajinkya Rahane express about test cricket in England
Englishmen were the mother of the invention of cricket sport, they brought cricket on the map of sports and made it even more popular as it evolved. If we ask anyone which country has the most difficult conditions to play test cricket everyone will say England because the climate over there is cold and European countries hardly get to see the sun so the conditions there are overcast and temperatures drop down so the pitch gets even more difficult to bat-on. Over the season County Championship is held in England and the culture of test cricket is handled properly by them. Many Indian players grabbed the opportunity to play county cricket. Players like Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Siddharth Kaul, Mayank Agarwal, Ravichandran Ashwin, Cheteshwar Pujara, and many more. Since they get familiar with the conditions and when India tours England they get some advantage of the pitches, also they get useful to the conditions but still, it’s pretty difficult to tackle the bowlers in England.
Ajinkya Rahane recently played for Leicestershire and expressed his overall experience playing test cricket and how conditions teach you to make a proper test player. Ajinkya Rahane said:
“I enjoy playing in England. Have always thought it is the best condition for any cricketer as it keeps you humble, keeps you grounded conditions change very quickly so you’ve to adapt to different situations and be flexible in your mindset. As a cricketer I have always felt whenever you leave England, you learn something or the other and go as an improved cricketer.”
“The conditions at this time are challenging in England and the overhead conditions make it challenging for a batsman. We are defending champions in the 50-over tournament so the expectations will be high. Hopefully, I can do my best for the team and learn from my teammates as well.”
Ajinkya Rahane was last seen in the World Test Championship final against Australia which was held at Oval ground, London India lost the final for the second time. Since then Ajinkya Rahane has seen no were. Under his captaincy, India won the BGT trophy with a whole young squad and they did this for the second time beating Australia in Australia. Ajinkya Rahane said:
“Just one game at a time. I like to be in the present and if I can contribute to the team’s success in any way, I’ll be happy to do that. It’s a team sport so for me contribution to the team matters a lot rather than individual success or milestone.”
“First impression is wow. The team atmosphere that I heard about has been amazing. All the lads are really good and welcoming. Excited to play in front of all the fans. A big Indian community in Leicester so looking forward to doing well for them this season,” stated Rahane.