England’s top players like Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer, and Ben Stokes may all be IPL regulars, but that doesn’t mean they can always catch a glimpse of the mindset or strategies of a top Indian player.
The IPL has made it easy for players from around the world to get closer and also exchange notes on each other’s games while sharing the dressing room for two months.
How much will that help England during the next series? Rahane was asked that question during the day.
“Look, we definitely play in the IPL, but the test cricket and the IPL are completely different. We know how your bowlers play here, but the length (that bowl) is completely different in test cricket than it is in cue ball (formats), ”Rahane replied.
“What we do at IPL is not that we tell them all the things and I think that is very important. Yes, we have played a lot of cricket together, but when you represent the country, it’s all about how you can do your best individually and as a team, ”said Rahane.
While admitting that Archer and Stokes are key players for England, Rahane said the kind of balance the opposing team as a whole possesses cannot be ignored.
“Ben Stokes and (Jofra) Archer are very good players. They did very well for England, so this is not an individual. I think it’s a team, England, it’s a very balanced team that did very well recently against Sri Lanka.
“So for us, the important thing is that we plan against all of their guys and we just play as a team here and back up our strengths.”
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