Facing a stiff 185-run target at the Ferozeshah Kotla against the Delhi Daredevils, Ajinkya Rahane shaped the Rajasthan Royals innings to set-up a thrilling win in their second game of the Pepsi Indian Premier League 2015. Even as wickets fell at the other end and the run rate climbed up, the opener played patiently to keep his team in the contest. He engaged the bowlers and timed the big-hits when the opportunity presented itself to ensure that the match remained hanging in balance. While he carved his knock, he guided the batsmen at the other end and carried the team forward. Man of the match, Deepak Hooda, who was involved in a 52-run partnership with Rahane, told the media later that the senior batsman’s encouraging words and guidance helped him through. While speaking to iplt20.com after the win, Rahane talked about planning the chase and carrying the innings through ebbs and highs with various partners which eventually helped pull off a win. He also lauded Hooda’s knock while adding that having faith in each other resulted in the team’s successes.

Excerpts from the interview: You played a crucial knock, how did you plan the innings? Initially the plan was to play positively for the first six overs. But after that the momentum shifted to their (opposition’s) side for a bit. Being the set batsman, my plan was to play as long as possible. It was important that I did that. If you take a partnership a bit further, then it is easy for the batsmen who are set to play on, rather than new batsmen coming in and playing shots. So, I think the plan for me to play as long as possible was a success and then Deepak continued playing his shots from the other end. I was just trying to rotate the strike and wherever I thought there was an option to hit a boundary or six, I took the chance. Sometimes people are still amazed when you hit the big shots. Today you once again showed how cleanly you do that. Tell us about that I think it is people’s perspective. I try to improve my game every day. T20 is a game of boundaries and sixes but I think singles and twos are equally important. Instead of hitting powerfully, timing the ball and hitting boundaries and sixes is important. That is my game, to time the ball and clear the fence and stress on taking ones and twos.

How were you changing the gears and building the innings? I was watching out for the weak links in their bowling and figuring out against which bowler I could take a chance (against) and on which ball. The plan was to take a chance against the loose deliveries. How difficult is it for a set batsman to keep going when wickets are falling at other end and when he is not getting much of the strike? In the last couple of years I have been able to learn a lot (about how to bat) when wickets are falling or when the opposition bowlers bowl a couple of good overs. In that situation patience is important. How well you handle those situations and remaining calm is important. The team that panics has lesser chances of winning. Of course everyone is bound to panic at some point but the lesser you do it is better. How has international success helped your batting? I have gained confidence from the way I have played over the last couple of years, the way I followed certain processes and the way I have conducted myself. I try to remain humble on and off the field. When your confidence is high you can definitely dominate. The confidence is definitely high but I start from scratch in every game. Did the wicket change as the game progressed? It did not change much, but later on it did become a little slower than the first innings. However, throughout it was a good wicket. There was true bounce in it; it wasn’t as if the odd ball stayed low. Was it a little difficult playing the two leg-spinners – Amit Mishra and Imran Tahir? Both the leg-spinners are experienced players and both bowled very well. It is important to respect the good ball. It shouldn’t be that your ego is hurt and you try to hit the bowler (out of the park). When you play with respect you get the odd boundary and the required runs keep coming. They bowled very well and it was important to treat them with respect. We knew that later their fast bowlers will be bowling and playing the pacers was easy on this wicket.

How were you re-assessing the game as it progressed? Initially after every over I was watching how many runs are required and when can I take a chance (to hit). Whoever I was batting with, we were discussing who we can take a chance against and which balls we can take a chance (to score off). If we got a couple of boundaries in an over, or a four and six, then the discussion was that even if we get a single of every ball after that then that’s good. What would you say about Deepak Hooda’s batting? He has definitely improved his game since the last year and the confidence with which he is playing is good. He had a good domestic season and he bats confidently. Every player is important for our team. The good thing about RR is the youngsters and debutants are backed completely by the team. It was a close game and you got out a crucial phase. What went through your mind? It was the first ball of the over, so the plan was that if a take a chance on this ball and if I get runs off it then later in the over we will have to take fewer risks. And I had the confidence that even if I got out there was still James Faulkner to bat and Hooda was at the other end. Besides, Tim Southee and Chris Morris were to bat too and we saw what they did. I think because of the faith that we have in each other we have both the matches because of the team effort.