At 36 years old, Ajinkya Rahane still dreams of donning the Indian Test jersey again. Despite being overlooked by the selectors, the veteran batter remains determined to make a comeback. As he leads Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy semi-final against Vidarbha, Rahane knows that a couple of big knocks could once again put his name in contention for national selection.
In an exclusive interview, Rahane opened up about his resilience, challenges, and the evolving landscape of Indian cricket, making it clear that his bat does the talking—no PR team needed.
Rahane’s Unwavering Hunger for Test Cricket
After being dropped post the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) final, where he was India’s top scorer with 135 runs, Rahane found himself out of the Test setup once again. The national selectors are backing younger talents, but Rahane firmly believes that he still has more to offer in red-ball cricket.
“I still feel young. I’m fit enough to compete at the highest level. The fire is still burning inside me to play Test cricket.”
Despite the silence from the selectors, Rahane is using domestic cricket as his proving ground. He acknowledges that his form hasn’t been exceptional, but he maintains that contributions, not just big scores, matter in tough conditions.
“I know I haven’t scored massive hundreds, but my 70s, 80s, or even a well-crafted 50 have often come when the team needed me the most.”
Does Rahane Regret Not Being More Vocal?
Unlike many modern cricketers who build narratives through social media and PR campaigns, Rahane has always let his cricket define him. However, he now realizes that visibility matters in today’s game.
“People say I need to be in the news. I don’t have a PR team, my only PR is my cricket.”
His introverted nature may have played a role in the public perception of his career trajectory, but Rahane believes in letting performances speak louder than words.
“I was always shy. Now I’ve opened up, but my approach remains simple—play cricket, go home. Staying in the news is important, but that’s not who I am.”
The Snub After the WTC Final – A Tough Pill to Swallow
After fighting his way back into the Test squad in 2023, Rahane expected to be given a fair run. But after a single series, he found himself out of the team again, missing the South Africa tour despite being India’s top performer in the WTC final.
“I felt bad because I have served Indian cricket for so long. I was expecting a call for the South Africa tour, but it never came.”
Despite the setback, Rahane refuses to dwell on selection politics.
“There was no communication from the selectors. I’m not someone who will go and ask why I was dropped. You can only have a conversation if the other person is willing to talk.”
Post-COVID Decline in Batting Averages – A Reality Check
Rahane acknowledged that batting averages across the world have dropped significantly post-COVID, primarily due to the challenging nature of Test wickets.
| Top Players’ Averages (Before vs. After COVID-19) | Before 2020 | After 2020 |
| Virat Kohli (Tests) | 54.97 | 41.35 |
| Joe Root | 50.11 | 44.92 |
| Steve Smith | 61.37 | 47.23 |
| Ajinkya Rahane | 42.58 | 32.24 |
“I’m not making excuses, but people don’t realize how much the game has changed post-COVID. Batting averages have dropped everywhere. The top order gets the best conditions; middle-order players often have to grind on difficult tracks.”
This perspective provides an insight into modern Test cricket, where big hundreds are becoming rare, and gritty contributions are often overlooked.
Rahane’s Take on Age and Selection
Many believe that Indian cricket has moved on, favoring youth over experience. However, Rahane believes that age shouldn’t be a barrier, provided a player maintains fitness and performance levels.
“If a batsman is fit, he can play till 40. We need experienced players in the team to mentor youngsters. Look at previous generations—players like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and VVS Laxman played till their late 30s.”
Rahane emphasizes that selectors should strike a balance between youth and experience to create a winning combination.
The Reality of Modern Cricket – A Social Media-Driven Narrative
Unlike other players who actively engage with the media, Rahane has always maintained a low profile. Many experts believe that his quiet demeanor might have worked against him in a sport where visibility often impacts selection.
“I never thought of using social media to build a narrative. I always believed that if I perform, I will get picked. But today, things are different.”
Many cricketing greats, including MS Dhoni, built their legacy without indulging in media politics, but in today’s digital era, branding and narrative-building play a significant role in a player’s longevity.
Could Rahane Have Done More?
One of the biggest criticisms Rahane has faced is the lack of match-defining knocks compared to his contemporaries. He acknowledges this but also highlights his crucial team contributions.
“People compare my career with Pujara’s, but I played at No. 5 and 6, often coming in challenging situations. Contributions aren’t just about hundreds but about playing impactful innings when the team needs it the most.”
Rahane’s career-defining moments include:
- 112 vs Australia at MCG (2020) – Led India’s comeback after the 36-all-out disaster.
- 103 vs England at Lord’s (2014) – A magnificent century on a green-top pitch.
- 96 vs South Africa (2018) – A match-saving knock at Johannesburg.
While his recent lack of centuries has been a concern, Rahane believes that his ability to absorb pressure is what made him valuable.
What’s Next for Rahane?
Despite India moving on with younger batters, Rahane hasn’t given up hope. He remains focused on domestic cricket, believing that a strong Ranji Trophy performance can bring him back into the national conversation.
“I still feel I have a few years left in me. Getting selected or not is not in my control, but I don’t want to retire with regrets.”
If a return to the Indian Test team doesn’t materialize, Rahane might shift his focus to mentorship and leadership roles in domestic and franchise cricket.
The Legacy of Ajinkya Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane’s career has been a rollercoaster—from captaining India to a historic Test series win in Australia (2020-21) to being dropped without explanation. His story is one of resilience, humility, and perseverance.
Even if he doesn’t make another comeback, Rahane wants to be remembered as a fighter who never gave up.
“I want people to remember me as a warrior who always gave his best for the team.”
Regardless of what the future holds, Ajinkya Rahane’s contribution to Indian cricket is undeniable, and his journey serves as an inspiration for young cricketers—a reminder that character often defines a player more than statistics.
