Ex Rajasthan Royals skipper Ajinkya Rahane is all set to represent Delhi Capitals in the 13 the season of the Indian Premier League. He mentioned that he expected to play the role of the middle order for India in the 2019 World Cup but he is not thinking too much about it. In ODIs, Rahane has been a middle-order batsman for India having played as many as 33 games in such a role whereas he has opened in innings in 54 games.
Rahane has joined Delhi Capitals which already has plenty of openers such as Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi shah and thus he is ready to accommodate as a middle-order batsman. 110 of his 132 IPL innings have come as an opener but asked if he’d be willing to bat in a position of complete contrast and fit into a finisher’s role, he said he was ready.
Majority of his role in his IPL career has been that of an opener but he does not have an issue even if he is given the role of a finisher. He enjoys batting and no position is more important than the contribution towards the team said Rahane.
The Delhi Capitals management is yet to make a decision on the role of the Indian opener. Ajinkya Rahane also mentioned that if the switch is made then he would at least require 5-6 practice sessions before donning the role.
One of the major difference to him that he will face if he switches places is the power play restrictions. As an opener you are allowed to express yourself as only 2 fielders are allowed in the outer circle. Being a middle-order batsmen boundary options are less and the field is completely spread he said and added that it becomes a complete ball game altogether.