I am confident I will make a comeback into ODI team, says Ajinkya Rahane

How do you see India's chances in England especially after Pakistan beat them in the first Test at Lord's?

It is very hard to judge (England) right now. Playing in England against England is always a challenge. Yes, Pakistan played very well. They bowled and batted well, but there's still a long way to go for our first Test in England. But we are going to play against Afghanistan. We don't want to take anyone lightly, Afghanistan or England. It is important that we should play to our strength. The team which we have is really good and the bowling and batting unit is doing well, but right now our focus should be on Afghanistan Test and then think about England.

Can we say this is the best time to beat England, considering the side India have and the form England are in?

It's very hard to take anything for granted, we have a great chance because the cricket that we played in South Africa as well, though we lost the first two Test, the cricket which we played was fantastic.

Yes we have a team that can do well abroad, especially in England, Australia and New Zealand later on. But it is important that rather than thinking about England's strengths or weaknesses, we should focus on what we have as a bowling and batting unit and we should look to capitalise from the word go.

Leg spinner Rashid Khan had a wonderful IPL with Sunrisers Hyderabad. He will be up against India in the one of Test...

He is doing really well, specially the shorter format – T20, he did fantastic for Sunrisers. He is a quality bowler and everyone needs to accept and respect that. We are not going to take them lightly because in cricket, and generally in life, you cannot take anything for granted. It is important to take your best foot forward, giving your best and playing to our strength is important. Qualifying for a Test is the biggest thing for Afghanistan cricket and that is good for cricket.

Does your exclusion from the limited overs squad for the England series give you a clarity to help you focus on red ball cricket?

Definitely, it is important that you know that you are going to England. First, you are playing against Afghanistan and then going to England. It is important that you get time to prepare yourself. Clarity is important when you know that you are not in ODI squad and you just going to play Test matches in England. I will get good amount of time, firstly for Afghanistan Test and after that for England tour.

Not figuring in the ODIs, does it mean that it's difficult for you to make a return?

Not really, I still believe in myself. It is important that you should have that belief and I did well in ODI cricket when I got my opportunity in West Indies I got man of the series award, again against Australia I did really well. In South Africa, the team management asked me to bat at No. 4 and I did well. So, it is just a matter of time. I always focused on what I need to do and I am not at all worried or I am not thinking at all. I am still confident that I will make a comeback and do well for my country in the shorter format. When we went in England last year, I felt that if you spent time in the middle and if you believed in your ability, it is important that you keep your game simple rather than do so many things at one time.

How frustrating was it to get dropped from the ODIs against England?

I am not at all frustrated. Actually, this is motivating me because I am looking to come back in to the side because I know that I really did well in shorter format. It is all about giving my best at that particular time. Right now, my focus is on Test cricket, definitely the Afghanistan Test and later the England series, but I still believe that I can come back and do well in shorter format, especially with the World Cup coming. So my focus is on that and I am confident that I will be back very soon.