Batsmen Failed To Support Bowlers, Admits Rahane

India's vice-captain and one of the strongest pillars of the team Ajinkya Rahane has admitted that it was batsmen's fault that let them down in the ongoing 5-match series against England.

India is 3-1 down with one match to spare. Rahane admitted that despite playing good cricket, batsmen failed to support their bowlers who have been brilliant throughout the series.



"Patience is the key in England, whether you bat or bowl. You got to bowl in the same areas for a longer period of time. Maybe as a batsman, you have to leave the ball for a longer period of time," Rahane said.

"We feel bad as our bowlers bowled so well and we as batting group could not support them when we are an experienced group. I think we as batting group fell short.

"When you are on tour you work so hard and prepare so well and then one department performs well then it is the responsibility of other groups to back them," he added.



However, India's vice-captain hasn't looked in best of his touch even though he scored two half-centuries in last two matches. India needed their best overseas batsman to put his best foot forward but he failed to contribute in crunch moments. When he was asked about his batting, he said,

"I didn't get many runs but I got 50-odd and 80-odd in the last two matches. The way I am batting, I am middling the ball really well. Batting is all about confidence. I would like to contribute a little more to my team.

"During this last match I will definitely give my best and I have prepared myself really well. Preparation from beginning till now is similar, whether you are 3-1 down or up. I am just going to enjoy my batting."



However, Rahane is hopeful to finish the tour on winning note. He believes that his team played good cricket but England was the better side in the series.

"Definitely it is an important Test match. The series stands at 3-1 and we want to give our best and finish on a winning note. Especially since I feel we played some good cricket but England played better than us," said Rahane.

"In Test cricket, you have to give more than 100 percent in each and every session. I felt England particularly won small and important sessions. Their bowling unit bowled really well.

"This is going to be the last Test. We are focused on performing well in this last test and if we can win this test and go back 3-2 then that will be really good," he said.

"Every team plays really well at home nowadays. England has played better cricket than us, especially in their bowling and batsmen in both teams have struggled a lot. Only Virat (Kohli) has batted really well in these conditions," he said.

"But England definitely, in their conditions, are a very good team and very experienced team with James Anderson and Stuart Broad in their attack. Moeen (Ali) bowled really well in the last game. They can do really well abroad as well but at home, every team is really strong."

The fifth and final Test will be played at The Oval, London from Friday, September 7. India's record at The Oval is not something they can proud. In 11 previous outings, India managed to win only one match and that too came 37 years ago.

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