In a talent pool that is rich in Indian cricket, Ajinkya Rahane has always been considered an integral player, particularly overseas. A star who was once admired as a consistent No. 4 batsman in Tests, Rahane’s position has eroded sharply over the past couple of years to the point of his being dropped from the national side in all formats.
Though not the most outspoken member of the Indian cricketing community, Ajinkya Rahane has recently brought attention to a felt lack of communication from the selection committee after he was dropped from the Test team after the 2023 World Test Championship final. He has been disappointed by not being notified about his being dropped, and he underlined that transparency is important for the players.
Looking back on his previous experiences, Rahane commented, “When I was dropped a few years back, I scored runs and got selected for the World Test Championship final, and got dropped again. What can I control? I can only look after my game.” Though he performed well in domestic cricket and in the IPL, he felt neglected, especially in the lead-up to a tough series against South Africa.
During an interview, Rahane shared that despite recommendations to contact management and selectors, he felt restrained by the lack of inclination from them to sit down and talk. “I’m not the kind to ask why I’m left out. There was no word. People told me to speak up, but one can only do so if the other person is open to listening,” he said, citing the exasperation of being kept in the dark after fighting to get himself into the team.
Rahane recognized the necessity for being visible in today’s cricketing landscape and pointed out, “I have come to realize that remaining in the news is imperative; otherwise, people think I’m out of touch.” Unlike most of his colleagues who have PR handlers to ensure their public image, Rahane has depended only on his on-field performance to plead for his recall.
In spite of struggling with form during the current Ranji Trophy, Rahane recently reminded everyone of his capabilities by hitting a century in the quarterfinal against Haryana at Eden Gardens, achieving an important milestone in the process as he did so in his 200th first-class match. While Rahane struggles through the intricacies of selection, his dedication to the sport remains unshaken, supported by faith in his return to the national team.
