IND vs AUS 2023: Peter Handscomb reveals how Ajinkya Rahane helped him improve against spin

Australian batter Peter Handscomb has revealed how Ajinkya Rahane how Ajinkya Rahane helped him improve his game against the spinners. Handscomb recalled the time when he shared the dressing room with Rahane during Indian Premier League 2016 while playing for Rising Pune Supergiant.

Handscomb is one of the better Australian batters against the spinners as he has got the right technique and defense. The right-hander was one of the few positives from the Delhi Test match for Australia as he scored an unbeaten knock of 72 runs in the first innings to help the visitors post 263 runs on the board.

The 31-year-old from Melbourne showed great resistance against the spin trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel. But the right-hander was dismissed for a duck in the second essay by Ravindra Jadeja.

“Rahane was playing these shots off his back foot through midwicket which I thought were ridiculous,” Handscomb said, as quoted by Sydney Morning Herald.

“I was like, wow I need someone to teach me that. So we spoke about getting his front leg out of the way and being able to manipulate the ball from there. That helps your back foot become a scoring zone, and then if they overpitch, you can hopefully score off the front foot as well. Then all their good balls you just find a way to defend,” he added.

Handscomb wants to retain his place in the team and be part of the Australian squad for the all-important WTC final and the Ashes against England.

“I want to be on every Australian tour from now,” he added.

“But I also understand I came into this tour because I was a good player of spin, and there are batters who have done better in English conditions who could come into the fold.

“Those are the discussions we have, we’re all open and honest about it. I still want to be a part of it though, and I’ll be doing everything I can to stay in.”
The third Test match will be played at Indore from March 1.