Ajinkya Rahane, the Indian cricket test vice-captain thinks that the unusual weather conditions of England will be a difficult part for the team members to get used to in the five-match test series. The two teams, England and India will play against each other at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on 4th August.
This series marks the start of the second round of the second cycle of the World Test Championship. Rahane said, “Conditions are completely different here. We played against England in our home. For us, it is familiar. Here again, we played a lot of cricket but getting used to the conditions is the key and being in the present matters a lot as a team. For us starting well is really important.”
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On Friday, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) informed that Ben Strokes, the all-rounder England cricket men’s player is taking a not-defined break from all cricket. He has withdrawn himself from the test series match because he wishes to put his mental wellbeing as a priority and also wishes to give rest to his left index finger, which is not fully recovered till now.
Rahane stated, “Bubbles are really challenging from a players’ point of view, what Ben Stokes said, it was his call. You got to understand the players’ mindset as well; it is all about how he is feeling because when you play at the highest level, you want to give your best, more than 100 percent, and your mental health matters a lot. We respect that, we respect his decision. I’m sure his England teammates also respect his decision. You have to understand what a player is going through in that difficult moment. Yes, it is tough, it is challenging as a player, as a team, to be in the bubble continuously, and to give your best all the time takes a lot.”
The opener batsman Mayank Agarwal has been ruled out of the test against England as he got hit on his helmet while batting informed the Board of Control for Cricket India (BCCI). The batsman is in a stable condition and is currently under strict medical observation.
Talking for his preparation Rahane said, “Preparations have been really good so far for me. Even when I was not playing the three-day game (in Durham), I was practicing on the side and we had a couple of good practice sessions. I’m completely ready to play.”