Ajinkya Rahane has publicly voiced his frustration with the Indian selection committee, asserting that his continued exclusion from the Test team is inexplicable, especially given his dedication to domestic red-ball cricket. Rahane pointedly stated that he felt the Indian team could have benefited from his presence during the recent Border-Gavaskar series in Australia, a tour that concluded with a 1-3 defeat for India.
During a post-match interaction, Rahane challenged the conventional wisdom regarding age in cricket. “Age is just a number. As a player. 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),” he remarked. He underscored that passion for Test cricket and hard work in the middle are paramount, overriding age concerns.
Reflecting on the Australian tour, Rahane expressed his firm belief that his experience was needed. “I thought personally the Indian team needed me in Australia — that’s my personal feeling,” he said. He cited examples of players who have had successful careers beginning in their late thirties, emphasizing the enduring value of experience in the Test arena.
Furthermore, Rahane highlighted a significant lapse: a lack of communication from the selectors regarding his situation. “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 disclosed. “I thought an experienced player like me should get more chances when you make a comeback. But there was no communication.”
Rahane assured that he is concentrating on what he can control, which includes performing in domestic cricket, a commitment he has maintained consistently. “I’ve been playing domestic cricket for the last 4-5 seasons,” he confirmed. He advocates for selectors to value players who are passionate about Test cricket and possess valuable international experience, suggesting that age should not be a disqualifying factor.