Veteran Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane has openly expressed his disappointment and confusion regarding his continued exclusion from the national Test squad. Despite a strong commitment to red-ball cricket and consistent performances in domestic tournaments, Rahane feels selectors have overlooked his experience. He specifically believes his presence was crucial for India during the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia, which India ultimately lost 1-3.
Rahane, who last represented India in July 2023, emphasized that age should not be the sole criterion for selection. “Age is just a number,” he stated. “If you have the experience, if you are still playing domestic cricket, if you are still giving your best, I think selectors should consider (for selection). It’s about the intent. It’s about the passion for the red-ball (cricket) and it’s about the hard work which you put in the middle — that’s what matters to me.”
The seasoned cricketer further elaborated on his belief that his specific skillset and experience were vital for the Australian tour. “In Australia, if you see, Michael Hussey made his debut in his late 30s, and still he made runs. Experience matters in red-ball cricket, and I thought personally the Indian team needed me in Australia — that’s my personal feeling,” Rahane added.
Adding to his concerns, Rahane revealed a lack of communication from the selection panel. “After playing so much of cricket for the Indian team, an experienced player like me when I got dropped, I got a sense that there is something different,” he said. “I thought an experienced player like me should get more chances when you make a comeback. But there was no communication.”
Rahane maintains he is focused on controllable aspects, including performing in domestic cricket, which he has consistently done over the past few seasons. He highlighted that selectors often advocate for domestic participation, a demand he has met. “You always see selectors talk about playing domestic cricket. I’ve been playing domestic cricket for the last 4-5 seasons. Sometimes, it’s not about the runs or performance. It’s about the intent. It’s about the experience.” He concluded by urging selectors to consider players who demonstrate passion and commitment to Test cricket, irrespective of their age.