Johannesburg: Indian batsman Ajinkya Rahane on Thursday said his side’s second innings batting will have a “crucial” bearing on the first Test against South Africa here after the visitors came back into the match with a devastating exhibition of seam bowling by their pacers.
“We wanted to bat as long as possible, but that did not happen. Virat Kohli batted well for his hundred yesterday and we had three crucial partnerships, so I can say the batting unit has done very well. Our second innings will be very crucial,” said Rahane, who contributed 47 runs to the Indian total, at the post-match press conference. “We need continue to bowl well tomorrow and take wickets of their tail. Then we need to bat well, because chasing 275 runs on this pitch will be a challenge,” he said.
Rahane also said his experience of South African conditions as part of India A team earlier in the year has helped him. (PTI)
