Ajinkya Rahane Calls Out Indian Selectors for Not Giving Him “More Chances” Despite Years of Experience

Between 2017 and 2021, Ajinkya Rahane maintained an impressive record as India's Test captain, remaining undefeated in all six matches he led.

Ajinkya Rahane Calls Out Indian Selectors for Not Giving Him “More Chances” Despite Years of Experience

Ajinkya Rahane slammed selectors for not giving his enough 'chances'. (via India Today)

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Out-of-favor Indian Test star Ajinkya Rahane slammed the selectors for not giving him ‘chances’, despite the immense experience that he has in the longest format. Despite not being a part of the Indian red-ball side for the past two years, the veteran batter still awaits a national call-up. 

Ajinkya Rahane has not played for the Indian Test side since the 2023 red-ball tour to West Indies, with the selectors going ahead with younger players for the future. For a player who has scored over 5,000 runs in the longest format and even captained the team during its historic 2016-17 Border-Gavaskar Trophy win, the omission seems unjust. Despite his non-selection, Rahane has been scoring steadily in domestic cricket over the past few years. 

The 37-year-old veteran batter displayed that he still has a lot of cricket left in him, after scoring a brilliant 159 runs against Chhattisgarh in an ongoing Ranji Trophy group stage encounter. Having remained away from the limelight, Ajinkya Rahane spoke about his performance after the end of the day’s play. He stated that his consistently good attitude and intensity in his game have translated into significant scores.

On his Team India chances, the veteran batter shared that he has received no clarity from the BCCI and the selectors about his future. Despite being repeatedly overlooked, Ajinkya Rahane admitted that he still has not lost hope and argued that age should not be be a barrier for selection, citing Australian legend Michael Hussey’s example. On his omission from the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Rahane suggested that the team missed out on his experience in Australia. He told the reporters:

It’s not about the age. It’s about the intent… In Australia, you see, Michael Hussey made his debut in his 30s. Still, he made runs. Experience matters in red ball cricket.

Given his impressive batting average of 42.09 against Australia, Rahane certainly felt he deserved a spot in the squad that traveled Down Under. The ex-India captain exclaimed that he had expected a call from the selectors, as he was fully prepared to play in the 2024-25 BGT. Ajinkya Rahane further proposed that experienced players like himself should be granted more opportunities, reasoning that they are driven by passion and intent, giving their best for the team.

I thought an experienced player like me should get more chances. And there was no communication… But as I said, the Indian team needed me in Australia and I was fully ready for it.

Nonetheless, it remains to be seen whether Ajinkya Rahane makes the pick for India’s upcoming red-ball series against South Africa at home. His experience might come handy against the Proteas, who have won three out of the four Test matches they have played since their WTC triumph this year. 

Ajinkya Rahane’s ton puts Mumbai ahead; J&K crush Rajasthan as Ranji matches heat up

Veteran India batter Ajinkya Rahane starred for Mumbai, as he recorded his 42nd first-class hundred to take his team ahead in its Ranji Trophy group stage encounter against Chhattisgarh. Rahane’s innings consisted of 21 boundaries, as he helped Mumbai to first inning total 406 runs.

Ajinkya Rahane and Aquib Dar
Mumbai’s Ajinkya Rahane and J&K’s Aquib Dar shined on Day 2 of second round of Ranji Trophy group stage encounters. (via NDTV Sports)

Rahane was supported by Siddhesh Lad, who scored 80 runs off 146 deliveries, as they forged a brilliant 165-run partnership with the former. Wicket-keeper Akash Anand still remains unbeaten on 60 runs, at the end of Day 2. For Chhattisgarh, Aditya Sarwate scalped a four-wicket haul in his 41-over spell, dismissing Rahane, Musheer Khan, Sarfaraz Khan and Shardul Thakur, while Ravi Kiran has taken three scalps. 

Meanwhile, at the Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir have dominated Rajasthan on Day 2, with 28-year-old pacer Aquib Nabi Dar taking a brilliant five-wicket haul to reduce the visitors to 41/5 in their second innings. On the other hand, Services inflicted a shock defeat on Assam, chasing down a meager 73 runs in their second innings to secure victory by eight wickets. 

Eyes will also be on Bengal’s encounter against Gujarat, with the home side having finished its first innings with 279 runs. However, they have fought back in bowling, restricting Gujarat to 107/7 at the end of Day 2, with Shahbaz Ahmed and Mohammed Shami picking up four and two wickets, respectively.

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