'Plan was to bat, bat and bat', says Ajinkya Rahane after scoring hundred for Hampshire on County debut

Newport: “The plan was to just bat, bat and bat,” said Ajinkya Rahane after becoming only third Indian to score a hundred on debut in County cricket. [caption id=“attachment_5360851” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File image of Ajinkya Rahane. AP[/caption] Rahane struck a patient 119 off 260 balls for Hampshire on day three of their match against Nottinghamshire on Wednesday. “I am really happy with my performance. I wanted to make it count. My plan was to bat, bat and bat. I was not thinking about the runs. I just wanted to be in the middle and put my team in a good position and that worked,” said Rahane in a video posted by ESPNCricinfo. “It (discipline) is very important here as a batsman. I have been talking to teammates about batting plans, how I need to go on and keep batting. Just had a simple game plan, to try and play as late as possible,” said India’s Test regular. Piyush Chawla was the first Indian to score a century on debut in County cricket while Murali Vijay was second. Rahane shared a 257-run stand for the third wicket with Sam Northeast who ended with 133. “He batted really well even in the first innings. Really enjoyed batting with Sam,” he said. Rahane, who has been ignored for the shorter formats, did not have the best of times in India’s previous three Test tours to South Africa, England and Australia. Talking about the World Cup beginning 30 May in the UK, Rahane said, “I am definitely going to back India. We have a strong side and I am sure it would do well.