India folded for 107 on a rain-interrupted second day of the Lord’s Test, but Ajinkya Rahane, their middle-order batsman, believes his side still are in contention for a win to level the series.
“You never know, the match can still be interesting if we get them out early and bat well in the second innings,” he said after the end of play on Friday, 10 August.
“We need to believe. Belief is important. There’s a long way to go in this match. You never know, the series can still be 1-1 at the end of this match.”
[caption id=”attachment_77907″ align=”alignnone” width=”2266″]'s="" all="" about="" patience="" in="" these="" conditions="" and="" trusting="" your="" methods="" backing="" ability""="" width="768px" height="432px" srcset="" sizes="(max-width: 2266px) 100vw, 2266px"> “It’s all about patience in these conditions and trusting your methods and backing your ability”[/caption]
James Anderson, England’s bowling spearhead, caused major destruction, finishing the day with 5-20 in just 13.2 overs.
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Rahane, who was one of the victims of Anderson’s accurate bowling, fell after making 18 off 44 balls. He credited the paceman, saying: “He didn’t bowl one short ball. He was just bowling there and there – a 4-5m length.
“And that is really crucial on this wicket. If you’re bowling that length, you’ve got to bowl consistently. As a batsman, you have to leave the ball, or you’ve got to back your methods consistently.
What a day! A 26th Test five-for for the King of Swing @jimmy9! 🙌
Scorecard/Videos: https://t.co/QaHxVc4jQO#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/COa66W3qrP
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 10, 2018
“If you play three maiden overs, you’ve got to be ready to play another three maiden overs after that. It’s all about patience in these conditions and trusting your methods and backing your ability.”
Rahane also added the ‘start-stop’ situation also didn’t help India’s cause.
“It’s not easy when it’s start-stop but there are no excuses at the highest level,” he said. “England bowled well. They used the conditions really well. I’d like to give credit to them.”