Ajinkya Rahane Puts Selectors On Notice: 'Indian Team Needed Me In Australia...'

Ajinkya Rahane, after scoring 159 in Ranji Trophy, stresses experience over age and calls for merit-based selection, despite being sidelined by Ajit Agarkar-led selectors.

Ajinkya Rahane has not been part of India’s plans for over two years, but the veteran batter’s spirit remains unwavering.

The 37-year-old showcased his temperament with a gritty 159 in the Ranji Trophy against Chhattisgarh. His celebration was just a quiet raise of the bat, a thumbs-up to the dressing room.

“Something clicked for me. I know how good a player I am, so I don’t like to focus on what’s going on outside. There are many unwanted people who don’t know about the game, but they still talk about a player who has been playing consistently with a good attitude and good intensity," Rahane was quoted as saying to Sportstar.

Even after stepping down as Mumbai captain, Rahane remains a guiding force for the younger players.

“I want Mumbai’s players to go and play at the highest level. But some people (still) talk about that. They don’t know the game; they don’t know what it takes for an international cricketer who has played for so many years. I don’t want to name anyone, but I feel my family’s support has been massive. My kids tell me, ‘Daddy, you can do it…’ and when they support you, nothing else matters."

Last Time Rahane Played Test For India?

The 2023 Test Tour of West Indies marked Rahane’s last appearance for India in the longest format. Since then, the selectors have moved on from him. Despite his steady domestic form, Rahane says he received no clarity from the selectors.

“After playing so much cricket, when experienced players like me were dropped, I got a sense that there’s something different. I feel an experienced player like me should get more chances when he makes a comeback. But there was no communication"

Still, his motivation endures. “But I still enjoy my game. I can focus on the controllable, which I’m doing right now. Whether they select me or not, that’s their call, but I personally feel that the Indian team needed me in Australia, and I was fully ready for it."

With India’s selectors, led by Ajit Agarkar, favouring younger options, Rahane maintains that selection should be based on merit, not age. “Age is just a number. If a player has the experience and is still playing domestic cricket and giving his best, the selectors should consider him. It’s not about the age. It’s about the intent. It’s about the passion for red-ball cricket and the hard work that you put in the middle. That’s what matters," he said.

“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. Selectors talk about playing domestic cricket. I’ve been playing domestic cricket for the last four to five seasons. Sometimes, it’s not about the runs. It’s about the intent. It’s about the experience (you get) when you play in Australia, England, or South Africa… so, I don’t buy that age factor," he added.

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