Mumbai batsman Ajinkya Rahane, who scored his 42nd first-class century on Sunday, hit out at the national selectors for constant neglect and lack of opportunities. He has also mentioned his dedication towards domestic cricket and has refused to consider age as a hindrance in his comeback.
Rahane has been ignored by the Indian Test team for a long time and despite several good performances in domestic tournaments in the last few years, there has been no information about his comeback. He last played for India in 2023 against West Indies at Port of Spain and was part of the ICC World Test Championship final squad against Australia.
The 37-year-old has an excellent red-ball record, having played 85 Tests and scoring 5077 runs at an average of 38.46. He scored 12 centuries and 26 half-centuries and was one of the pillars of Indian cricket during its rise to the No. 1 spot in the longest format of the game under the leadership of MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli.
“Age is just a number,” Ajinkya Rahane shows passion for red-ball cricket with his latest first-class century
Ajinkya Rahane restored confidence in himself and his ability with a brilliant century for Mumbai against Chhattisgarh in a Group A Ranji Trophy match and immediately turned to the national selectors with questions raised over experience, lack of opportunities and communication.
The Mumbai batsman, who was seen in the commentary session at Lord’s during the India vs England tour, had also expressed his desire to make a comeback for India. He once again expressed his desire to continue playing for India and further said that the Indian team needed him in the last series also.
“Age is just a number,” he said, trying to make a point. “As a player, if you have experience, if you are still playing domestic cricket, if you are still giving your best, then I think the selectors should consider you. It’s not about age. It’s about intent. It’s about passion for the red ball,” Rahane was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
“I think an experienced player like me should get more chances when I make a comeback” – Rahane
He highlights India’s disappointing campaign in Australia, where they suffered a humiliating 3-1 defeat at the hands of the home team in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He believed that there was a need for experienced players in the team and players like him should be given more opportunities.
“After playing so much cricket, when experienced players like me were dropped, I realized something was different. I feel an experienced player like me should get more chances when he comes back. But there was no communication.” Ajinkya Rahane said.
“But I still enjoy my game. I can focus on control, which is what I am doing right now. Whether they pick me or not is their decision, but I personally feel that the Indian team needed me in Australia and I was completely ready for it,” he said.
“The Indian team needed me in Australia” – Ajinkya Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane described former Australian great Michael Hussey as an excellent example of age being just a number and said that experience matters in overseas Tests and hence, India needed him in BGT last year. It is noteworthy that Rahane was a part of the teams that won BGT in Australia.
“In Australia, you see, Michael Hussey made his debut in his late 30s. He still scored runs. So, experience matters in red-ball cricket. And I thought, personally, the Indian team needed me in Australia.”
“The selectors talk about playing domestic cricket. I have been playing domestic cricket for the last four to five seasons. Sometimes, it’s not about runs. It’s about intent. It’s about experience [you get] When you play in Australia, England, or South Africa… well, I don’t buy that age factor,” Rahane concluded.
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