Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane revealed that legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar had advised him to enjoy the moment and forget everything else on his Test debut. Rahane played his first-ever match in the longest format of the game on March 22, 2013, against Australia in Delhi. The right-handed batsman with all butterflies in the stomach came into bat at number 5 after India lost three wickets for 148 runs. “I did not know how to react… It was a mixed feeling. It was, obviously, a special moment for me, but I was feeling nervousness and excitement as well,” Rahane told Deep Das Gupta in a videocast hosted by ESPNCricinfo.

“When I went to bat, I had Sachin Tendulkar on the other end. Sachin paaji told me to enjoy the moment and forget everything else. I did not have a great debut, but it was memorable,” he added.

Rahane eventually got out after scoring just 7 runs at hands off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

“I remember coming in to bat at number 5, it was a bit challenging. You know that if you are batting at number 6 or 7 in India, the ball is old, fielders are spread out,” said Rahane.

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“And when you have batted in the top order all along. You have to work hard to adjust. But none of these thoughts came into my mind at that time. I was happy playing for India,” he added.

India defeated Australia by six wickets on the back of Ravindra Jadeja five-wicket haul in the second innings.