After years of underperforming, Ajinkya Rahane was finally moved on from. From 2017 to 2023, only once did the former India captain average over 40 in a year. Due to his past exploits, the management stuck with Rahane for a long time, but that rope was cut during India’s tour of the West Indies in 2023.
Age no barrier, says Rahane
But Rahane hasn’t lost hope. He still aspires for a potential Test return. After scoring his 42nd first-class hundred against Chhattisgarh at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy BKC in Mumbai, he talked about how age shouldn’t be a barrier for selection.
He even stated that the Indian team needed his help in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), which they ended up losing 1-3 as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma‘s Test career also came to an end.
“It’s not about the age. It’s about the intent. It’s about the passion for the red ball and the hard work you put in the middle. So, I don’t believe in that completely. In Australia, you see, Michael Hussey made his debut in his 30s. Still, he made runs. Experience matters in red ball cricket. I thought, personally, the Indian team needed me in Australia.”
“After 34-35, players are old. Players are always looking to do well. Players are always looking to give their best. And if someone is really passionate about playing red ball cricket. I think selectors should look into it. Because they come and watch the game. Every time, it’s not about the performance. It’s about the intent and the passion and how you play with the red ball,” Rahane told reporters after the second day’s play.
Was ‘fully ready’ for BGT call-up
Rahane thinks the management should have banked on his Australia experience. He averaged 42.09 and had played 12 matches there. On the last tour Down Under, 2020-21, Rahane was India’s third-highest scorer and captain for the last 3 matches after Kohli was on paternity leave.
“I thought an experienced player like me should get more chances. And there was no communication. I can focus on only the controllable things, which I am doing right now. But as I said, the Indian team needed me in Australia and I was fully ready for it,” he added.
While Rahane claims all of this, one has to consider whether it all stacks up. In the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy, he averaged 35.92 after 9 matches. He wasn’t even in Mumbai’s top four highest run-getters. Overall, he was 48th. His domestic performance wasn’t worthy of a Test call-up when players like Sarfaraz Khan can’t even get a look-in.
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