Played with positive intent, says Rahane

Colombo, Aug 6. India batsman Ajinkya Rahane on Thursday said his intent has been to play positively whether in the subcontinent or overseas, adding that he was happy to score a ton in the warm up match against Sri Lanka Board President's XI here on Thursday.

India are playing a practice game ahead of a three-Test series against Sri Lanka. The first match begins on August 12.

Rahane struck a crisp 109 off 127 balls with 11 fours and one six to remain unbeaten and help India reach 314/6 at stumps on day one of the three-day practice game.

"I was not looking to score 100. I wanted to spend as much time as possible in the middle and play as many balls as possible. My intent has been positive throughout in the last one or two years, wherever I played. I want to continue with the same intent. Happy to get hundred here going into the Test series," Rahane said at a press conference here on Thursday.

"The wicket was doing a bit initially. My intent was positive throughout. When I was batting it was important to push myself in the middle and motivate myself to take one ball at a time. In the Test series also if I am batting at 60-70 it is important to carry on with the same intent," he said.

Middle order batsman Cheteshwar Pujara (43) joined hands with Rahane to put on a crucial 134-run fifth-wicket partnership.

"In any format partnership is very crucial. Pujara batted very well. He spent time in the middle and took it as it came. It was important to get the partnership and get the momentum going,” the 27-year-old said.

"Everyone’s intent is to score more runs as fast as possible, as that will help us win matches. Scoring runs will give our bowlers time to take 20 wickets. That is our intent. Even in Australia we played with that intent. And scoring quickly in Sri Lanka will be a challenge for us," Rahane concluded.