As Ajinkya Rahane has criticized the national selectors for repeated neglect despite stellar domestic performances, he has slammed stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, saying that experience is always needed to win games.
Having played his last Test for India in 2023 against the West Indies, middle-order batsman Rahane has been waiting for a Test comeback for the last two years.
Playing 85 Test matches for India after making his debut against Australia in 2013, Rahane scored 5000+ Test runs at an average of 38.46. After the announcement of retirement of Cheteshwar Pujara, Ravichandran Ashwin, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, he remains the only active player of the legendary Indian team during the golden era of Test cricket.
“At the highest level, when you have people like Rohit and Virat..” – Ajinkya Rahane slams veterans for ignoring India
Ajinkya Rahane refuses to consider age as a factor in his omission from the Indian team; However, he took reference of Indian greats Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the white ball format to prove his point. The way he has won matches for India proves that there is a great need for experience in the team.
“At the highest level, when you have guys like Rohit and Virat, who have won so many matches for India, especially in white-ball cricket, you need that experience in the team. You can’t go with all the new guys and all the players in the team. Yes, young blood is important. But I think if you have experience, the team will do well, especially in red-ball cricket. I was really happy to see Rohit score 100,” Rahane said.
Last season, Ajinkya Rahane scored 467 runs in his 14 Test innings at an average of 35.92, with one century and one half-century to his name in the playoffs.
“I know how good a player I am” – Rahane said after another Ranji Trophy century
On Saturday, the first day of the game, Rahane scored his century and then retired hurt. He did not celebrate reaching this milestone, but instead gave a strong reply without taking anyone’s name, which could create controversy.
“I know how good a player I am. I don’t like to focus on what’s happening outside. There are a lot of unwanted people. When they don’t know about the game, they talk about a player who is playing consistently with a good attitude, good intensity and always wants to do well for Mumbai.
“And also, from a player’s point of view, I want Mumbai players to play at the highest level. You know, when some people talk like this, when they don’t know the game, they don’t know what to expect as an international cricketer who has been playing for so many years. So, I think something good happened for me. I don’t want to take names,” he said.
Ajinkya Rahane to captain Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2025
After a good season in the domestic red-ball game and good form in white-ball cricket too, the defending champions in the IPL picked up Ajinkya Rahane in the mega-auction.
Later, due to his tremendous experience in the IPL, they promoted him as the captain of the team. Rahane batted very well and emerged as KKR’s highest scorer with the bat; However, he could not lead the team to the playoffs.
Also read: “India needed me…”: Ajinkya Rahane exposes Ajit Agarkar over lack of communication in brutal attack
