On top, enjoying the view

Mumbai captain Wasim Jaffer feels that the 20-year-old youngster can be the ideal No 3 batsman for the Indian team after Rahul Dravid retires. But despite being a member of the India A team, and part of the Emerging Players tournament, Rahane didn8217;t find any place in the BCCI8217;s annual contract list.

In a brief chat with The Indian Express, Rahane talks about his current batting form, while touching upon various other topics. Excerpts:

8226;How does it feel to be the leading run-scorer in the Ranji Trophy?

8226; It feels good but there is more work left to be done. I need to carry on like this, and be more consistent.

8226;Has batting at No 3 been lucky for you?

8226; Yes, it has 8212; everything has gone right for me this season. Just before the start, we knew there are three openers in the side 8212; me, Wasim bhai and Sahil Kukreja. Someone had to bat at number three so that all three of us could play. Wasim bhai asked me, and I said yes at once.

8226;Were you mentally prepared to bat at one-drop?

8226; There is no difference between opening the innings and batting at number 3. If any batsman gets out in the first over, then you are right there, facing the new ball. You need to be prepared to bat at any position.

8226;What went wrong during the beginning of last season8217;s Ranji Trophy?

8226; I was thinking too much last season, and pushing myself very hard. Things are different now that I8217;m just going out to play my natural game. When I8217;m batting, I don8217;t think much. But the credit should also go to my coach Praveen Amre, he really worked hard on me.

8226;What is the difference compared to last season?

8226; Many things have changed. Earlier, I always tried to score more through the off-side and didn8217;t give much importance to the leg side. Now, I play a lot more in the mid-off and mid-on area. I have also worked on the mental aspect of my game.

8226;Did any particular knock change you as a batsman?

8226; Yes, the game against Saurashtra last season. I scored 148 runs, but soon after settling down I gave away my wicket. We kept losing wickets at regular intervals.

8226;We lost that game and Mumbai couldn8217;t qualify for the Ranji semi-finals. That match changed my whole perception of the game.

8226;But things are different this season with Mumbai entering the knock-out stage8230;

8226; Yes, we are doing well and we just want to keep up the momentum. We might be playing Himachal Pradesh in the next game, and we can8217;t take them lightly.

8226;You and Wasim have emerged as a solid pair this season8230;

8226; Wasim bhai is great. Despite being such a big player, he doesn8217;t treat you like a junior. We play for Indian Oil together and we have known each other for a while. Whenever I play any good strokes he will come and praise me.

8226;Were you disappointed not to get a BCCI contract?

8226; No, you get disappointed when you hope for something and you don8217;t get it. I never expected to get a grade or an annual contract. My priority is to get a place in the national side and for that I8217;m ready to continue with my hard work.