New Delhi: Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane has expressed his frustration over his absence from the national Test team, despite his strong performances in domestic cricket. Rahane scored 159 runs off 202 balls in Mumbai’s recent Ranji Trophy match against Chhattisgarh.
Addressing the media after the day’s play at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy in BKC, Mumbai, Rahane voiced his disappointment at not being included in the Indian Test squad. His last appearance for India was against the West Indies in July 2023. “Age is just a number,” he remarked, emphasizing that experience and commitment should be considered by selectors. “If you have the experience and are still performing in domestic cricket, I think selectors should take that into account,” he noted.
Rahane further asserted that the emphasis should be on intent and passion for the game rather than age. “It’s about the hard work you put in on the field; that’s what matters. I don’t completely agree with the notion that players become outdated past a certain age,” he added. He believes his experience could have been beneficial to the Indian team during the recent Border-Gavaskar series in Australia, which India lost 1-3.
“I felt that the Indian team needed me in Australia,” Rahane stated, citing examples of seasoned players like Michael Hussey, who debuted in his late 30s and continued to achieve success in red-ball cricket.
Rahane also highlighted a lack of communication from the selectors regarding his exclusion. “Having played so much cricket, I expected more dialogue after being dropped. An experienced player like me should receive more chances upon returning,” he remarked. Despite this setback, he remains focused on factors within his control. “If they select me or not, it’s their decision. But I was fully prepared for the series.”
He pointed out that he has followed the selectors’ directive to participate in domestic competitions whenever possible, and he believes that experience in formats like Test cricket should hold significant weight. “Selectors often emphasize the importance of domestic cricket. I have been playing consistently for the past few seasons. It’s not always about runs; it’s also about intent and experience, particularly in challenging conditions,” Rahane said.
He concluded by urging selectors to consider players who are genuinely passionate about red-ball cricket, stating that performance should not be solely measured by age.
