I was thinking about team rather than hundred: Rahane

Coming in at a precarious 25 for 3 on the opening day of the first Test against West Indies, Rahane scored 81, an innings he values more than a hundred.

In fact, he knew a question would pop about missing out on a hundred, having last scored one against Sri Lanka back in 2017.

“I knew this question was coming and I was ready,” he smiled when asked at the day end media conference.

“As long as I am at the crease, I am thinking about my team, I am not a selfish guy. So yes, I am not too concerned about the hundred as I thought 81 on that wicket was really crucial as we are now in a decent position,” said Rahane.

A century would have been nice but what mattered more was playing according to the demands of the situation. “See, as long as I am contributing for my team is what matters. Yes, I was thinking about my hundred but the situation we are in -- 25 for 3 was tricky. As I have said, I just thought if I could contribute for my team. I am not too concerned about my hundred as that will come automatically,” the 31-year-old said. He spent a couple of months with Hampshire in English county, playing seven games in which he scored a hundred and a fifty.

The Mumbaikar feels that it’s too premature to say whether the stint proved beneficial or not but it certainly helped him get him some quality batting practice. “See it (county stint) was important. I took the decision when I got to know that I won’t be a part of World Cup squad. I wanted to make use of the two months and I played seven county games, focussing on my batting, working on a few areas.”

Rahane termed his 68-run stand with KL Rahul to be a crucial one in the larger context. “At the start of our innings, the wicket was tricky. It was a bit sticky (spongy bounce) and there was sideways movement. Throughout the day, they bowled pretty well.

“What was important was to have a partnership going and still be positive in our intent. The partnership with Rahul was crucial at that situation. We were not thinking too far ahead. The motive was to play one ball at a time and take it on from there,” Rahane said.