Ajinkya Rahane Opens Up on His Ouster from Team India
One of India’s most dependable batters in overseas conditions, Ajinkya Rahane was once a key figure in the Test team. However, his decline over the past two years has been so drastic that he is no longer considered for selection in any of the three formats. Despite his quiet demeanor, Rahane has now pointed out a significant flaw in the selection process, revealing that no communication was made regarding his exclusion from the Test squad after the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) final.
Lack of Communication from Selectors
In an interview with The Indian Express, Rahane shared his disappointment over being dropped without any discussion. He recalled how he had performed well in domestic cricket and the IPL, earning a recall for the WTC final. However, after that match, he was left out again without any explanation.
“When I was dropped a few years ago, I worked hard, scored runs, and was picked for the WTC final. But after that, I was dropped again. What is in my control is to keep playing. I knew that South Africa would be a challenging series, and I was expecting a call, but I wasn’t selected. That was disappointing because I have served the team for so long,” Rahane said.
Rahane also mentioned that many people advised him to approach the selectors and management for clarity, but he refrained from doing so since the “other person wasn’t ready to talk.”
“I am not someone who will go and ask why I was dropped. There was no communication. Many suggested I should talk, but a conversation can only happen if the other person is willing to listen. If they aren’t, there is no point in arguing. I wanted a one-on-one discussion, but I never messaged anyone. It felt odd being dropped after the WTC final because I had worked hard for that spot. I believed I would be selected for the next series. However, there’s no use complaining. All I can do is focus on what is within my control. I still believe I can make a comeback,” he added.
No PR Team to Push His Case
Unlike many players who rely on PR teams to keep their names in the spotlight and create pressure for selection, Rahane revealed that he never had such backing.
“I was always a shy person, though I have opened up more now. My focus has always been to play cricket and go home. No one told me that I needed to do more to stay relevant. Even now, I sometimes feel like just playing and heading home. But people now tell me that I should speak up, talk about my hard work, and stay in the news. I don’t have a PR team; my only PR is my cricket. I have realized that staying in the news is important—otherwise, people assume you are out of the circle,” Rahane said.
Return to Form in the Ranji Trophy
Though Rahane struggled for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy earlier in the season, he found his touch again during the quarterfinal against Haryana at Eden Gardens, where he scored a century. This innings was even more special as it came in his 200th first-class match.
Despite his setbacks, Rahane remains determined to continue playing and hopes for another opportunity to represent Team India in the future.
