Ajinkya Rahane speaks on captaincy, Zimbabwe tour and the axeing in Bangladesh

Mumbai, July 6: India's ODI captain for Zimbabwe tour, Ajinkya Rahane on Monday said all 15 players are important in the squad and there is no difference between seniors and juniors.

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Rahane, who has been handed the responsibility of India captaincy for the short tour to Zimbabwe starting July 10, is confident of returning home victorious. With big guns including MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli rested from the trip, Rahane is leading a second-string side. They will play 3 ODIs and 2 T20Is.

Addressing the media today, Rahane said he was not thinking of the Bangladesh series which India lost 1-2 recently and also he had forgotten about him being dropped from the Playing XI in Mirpur. He said he took Dhoni's feedback of "problems in rotating the strike in slow sub-continental conditions" positively.

"Dhoni bhai gave me a feedback and I took it in a positive manner and I have moved on. Bangladesh series is past tour. I want to focus on the present," Rahane said when asked about how he felt after being dropped in Bangladesh a week before being named skipper.

Speaking about his captaincy, he said that he had captained Mumbai Under-19 and T20 teams and that experience would help.

"I have captained Mumbai at Under-19 level and also in T20. That experience will help," the right-hand batsman said.

"This tour is a good opportunity for all the youngsters. I am confident of this bunch of boys. They will do well. Our motto is to do well in Zimbabwe and get back to winning habit. We will try to win all matches. We want to give 100 per cent and return home with victory," he added.

Rahane said he will back his instincts while captaining India for the first time. "I will back all my players. I will back my instincts (as a captain)," the 27-year-old right-handed batsman said.

"All 15 players have to believe in their abilities. There is no senior or junior. It is about the team," he replied when asked about the team.

When asked whether he would open the batting in Zimbabwe, he said they will discuss that after landing in the African nation.

OneIndia News