India's vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane has said ahead of the WTC final that he is not surprised by the criticism he has been receiving for his batting return. Rahane is India's highest scorer in this WTC cycle with 1095 runs at 43.80, and has received unwavering support from the team management.
Recently in February this year, skipper Virat Kohli said that Rahane, along with Cheteshwar Pujara, was India's "most important batsman" in response to questions about his form and place in the team. Rahane has scored one hundred and one half-centuries in his last 18 innings but said he is not living in the past before the WTC final.
"It feels special [to be the leading run-scorer]. I am happy to take criticism. I think because of the criticism, I am here," Rahane said. "I always want to give my best, whether people criticize me or not. What is important to me is to give my best for my team, my country and contribute every time. Be it as a batsman or as a fielder. In form. I don't really think about criticism. If people criticize me, that's their thing and that's their job. I can't control these things. I always focus on the controls, my I put my best foot forward and follow my procedure. And the result is as follows."
Rahane has been one of India's leading overseas batsmen during his decade-long career, but England is the country where he has had the least success; In ten Tests in England, Rahane averages 29.26 with four fifties and one century. However, three of these half-centuries have come during the two Tests in Southampton, where the final will take place.
Rahane said, 'I like to live in the present. "I've been in this position several times so far, played for Hampshire too. Yes, I know the conditions but the important thing is to be in the present and adjust to the conditions of that particular day. Being supreme Run-scorers don't matter anymore. Whatever happened, it was over."
"I will play my natural game. Doesn't bother me much, as long as I am contributing to my team, what is my record in England. For me, winning is more important - whether I score 100 or score less .. even if I score 30-40 runs, if those 30-40 runs are valuable, I am happy. It's all about the team, it's all about the contribution, so I put more pressure on myself. don't want to put up."
India itself has not had the best of its last two visits to Southampton. While Rahane was able to do his best in a challenging venue, he lost by 266 runs in 2014 and by 60 runs on his last visit in 2018. The opposition and the change in context - it will be a one-time match, after all - albeit for a fresh approach, Rahane said.
"The opposition is different [so] our plan and strategy will be completely different. Playing here in Southampton against England, the plan was different. We want to take it as just another game, we don't want to put ourselves under pressure. Especially because we are playing Tests after a long time. I think what is important in this Test is to play with freedom, play as a team and support each other. Will help us instead of thinking about the outcome after the Test match."