India vs West Indies World T20 Semis: Ajinkya Rahane Justifies Selection With Classy 40

Ajinkya Rahane justified his selection for the crucial World T20 semifinal clash against West Indies as he slammed 35-ball 40 at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday. Rahane had replaced Shikhar Dhawan in the playing XI. (Scorecard | Updates)

Rahane and Rohit Sharma gave India a good start after West Indies won the toss and decided to field. Their 65-run stand was India's best in the World T20 so far.

Rahane, along with the in-form Virat Kohli, ran well to keep India's scoreboard ticking. The duo brought up India's 100 in the 13th over.

Kohli and Rahane also brought their half-century stand off just 38 balls in the 14th over.

Playing his first game of the tournament, Rahane hit two boundaries in an innings that had his trademark discipline written all over it. He was out caught by Dwayne Bravo at deep square leg fence off the bowling of Andre Russell.

At the end of Indian innings, Rahane looked pleased with his performance.

"I knew I was batting well in the nets. It's just a matter of mental adjustment for me and I know this ground very well," said Rahane.

When quizzed about the conditions in the middle, Rahane said it was not a 'typical Wankhede wicket'.

"It's not a typical Wankhede wicket, because when I was batting with Rohit, the ball was stopping here. So it was important to run between the wickets," said Rahane.

Rahane hoped that the Indian spinners will come good against West Indies.

"I think our spinners will come in handy here. The ball will still hold here, but we will have to field well here," added Rahane.