Veteran India batter last played in international cricket nearly two years ago but feels like he should have gotten an extended run in the side after making a comeback in Test side in 2023. Rahane was recalled for World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2023 against Australia and was India’s highest scorer in the lost Test.
After that, he played only two Tests on the tour of West Indies and has been sidelined ever since. The 37-year-old is currently playing Ranji Trophy (domestic red-ball tournament) and is till hopeful of playing for India.
Rahane breaks silence on Test snub by BCCI
“It’s not about the age. It’s about the intent,” the batter said on the sidelines of the match against Chhattisgarh. “I feel an experienced player like me should get more chances when he makes a comeback. But there was no communication,” he added. There were calls of picking Rahane on the tour last Test tour of Australia where India lost -3 in the five-match series and Rahane feels he should have been in the team.
“I personally feel that the Indian team needed me in Australia, and I was fully ready for it,” acknowledged the batter. The return, however, seems improbable now with BCCI putting focus on building a new team under young skipper Shubman Gill.
Rahane’s number in Test cricket
The batter has played 85 red-ball matches for India and scored 5,077 runs at an average of 38. He has 12 Test hundreds to his name with a best of 188. While his number are not overwhelming, he is one of the most technically correct batters India had in the middle-order. He also led a depleted side to Test series victory in 2020/21, showing exemplary leadership skills as well.