Batting at Eden Garden a challenge: Ajinkya Rahane

Batting was a challenge on an a typical Eden Garden wicket said Ajinkya Rahane but also conceded that he and Cheteshwar Pujara were guilty of not making their partnership big enough.

Rahane scored 77 while Pujara put on board 87, his third consecutive Test half-century as India ended the day one at 239/7. The two batsmen men raised a crucial 141-run stand for the third fourth wicket when India were struggling at 46/3.

“It was not a typical Kolkata wicket. There was something in the wicket. It’s two-paced. It was tough very humid in the second session.

“It was not a good day for us. We felt wicket will be very good. Generally it’s flat and good for batting. It was there something for fast bowlers,” Rahane said at the press conference.

“We had a few soft dismissals but partnership between me and Pujara was crucial. Me and Pujara will take the blame as we both were set. It was our responsibility to carry the partnership forward.

“A batsman just needs one ball to get out. But if we could have scored a century (each), our position would have been different. I am not blaming anyone else. Maybe it was our responsibility,” he said.

Terming it a disappointing day with India ending day one at 239/7, Rahane said: “You don’t think about scoring a hundred. You play according to the situation. Maybe we lost our concentration. We lost two extra wickets. Five wickets would have been ideal.”