I’ve taken Dhoni’s feedback positively, says Rahane

Mumbai, July 6 

MS Dhoni’s critical comments about Ajinkya Rahane’s batting in the 50-over format may have raised a lot of eyebrows, but the stand-in captain has taken the feedback in a “positive manner”. Dhoni, while explaining why Rahane was dropped from the playing XI against Bangladesh, had said the Mumbai batsman had problems in rotating the strike in slow sub-continental conditions.

“Dhoni gave a feedback and I took it in a positive manner and moved on. The Bangladesh tour is past for me. My aim is to be more consistent in the ODIs,” Rahane said before leaving for the five-match limited overs series in Zimbabwe.

Rahane said he did not believe in classifying players as “seniors and juniors”. “There is nothing senior or junior in a team. All are equally important and all should believe in their abilities. As a captain, I have my own set of ideas and will like to back my instincts,” said Rahane.

He was all praise for Harbhajan Singh, who has made a comeback into ODIs after a moderately successful Test comeback against Bangladesh.     “Harbhajan has been a star performer for India. I am very happy for him and obviously I will seek his advice whenever I need to.”      

Asked if he would like to open in Zimbabwe, Rahane was non-committal in his answer. “I have opened for Mumbai in ODIs and in T20 for Rajasthan Royals. I will decide after speaking to the coaches after landing in Zimbabwe.”

With a new set of ODI rules coming into effect, Rahane prefers to “wait and watch” as to how it pans out in the long run. “We will have to wait and see. It will be exciting as well as challenging for both batsmen and bowlers. We have to have a new set of plans ready. But we will get to understand what is required once we start playing,” he said.