Indian cricket team vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane on Thursday blamed team’s batting line-up for the Test series defeat in England. In the ongoing five-match Test series, India were repeatedly bowled out as Joe Root-led England grabbed an unassailable 3-1 lead. The fifth and last Test match will be played at Oval starting on Friday.

“Patience is the key in England, whether you bat or bowl. You got to bowl in the same areas for a longer period of time. Maybe as a batsman, you have to leave the ball for a longer period of time,” Rahane said while talking to reporters.

“We feel bad as our bowlers bowled so well and we as batting group could not support them when we are a experienced group. I think we as batting group fell short. When you are on tour you work so hard and prepare so well and then one department performs well then it is responsibility of other group to back them,” Rahane added.

Speaking about his batting performance, Rahane said, “I didn’t get many runs but I got 50-odd and 80-odd in the last two matches. The way I am batting, I am middling the ball really well. Batting is all about confidence. I would like to contribute a little more to my team. During this last match I will definitely give my best and I have prepared myself really well. Preparation from beginning till now is similar, whether you are 3-1 down or up. I am just going to enjoy my batting.”

The right-handed batsman also said world number one Test team will aim to finish this long tour on a winning note.

“Definitely it is an important Test match. The series stands at 3-1 and we want to give our best and finish on a winning note. Especially since, I feel we played some good cricket but England played better than us,” Rahane said, adding, “In Test cricket you have to give more than 100 percent in each and every session. I felt England particularly won small and important sessions. Their bowling unit bowled really well.

“This is going to be the last test. We are focussed on performing well in this last test and if we can win this test and go back 3-2 then that will be really good,” Rahane said.