'I Wouldn’t Want Him To..'- Rahul Dravid's Big Statement On Ajinkya Rahane

image-lijv387yRahane is likely to bat at 5 in WTC Final [Source: Twitter]

Comebacks are never easy, especially in Indian cricket. However, after a long hiatus, forgotten batter Ajinkya Rahane will once again turn up for India in the upcoming ICC World Test Championship final against Australia on Wednesday. 

Notably, Rahane played his last Test back in January 2022. However, an unfortunate injury to Shreyas Iyer, coupled with his terrific performances for Mumbai in the domestic season and CSK in the IPL 2023, sees the stylish Mumbai batter back in the mix.

While many feel a failure here could mean Rahane's final hurrah, head coach Rahul Dravid doesn't think so. In a pre-match press conference, Dravid asserted that the middle-order batter should not consider this chance a one-off.

The former India captain also welcomed Rahane back into the side, praising him for the value he brings to the team.


Here's what Dravid said

"He brings terrific catching in the slips as well to the group. He just brings his personality to the group as well which is really important. He’s led the team to considerable success. And again, I wouldn’t want him to approach this as just a one-off."

"Sometimes you get dropped from teams and you make a comeback and you can play for as long as you’re playing well and as long as you’re performing. It’s not written in stone or a rule that you only get one match. He puts in a good performance, really shows what he’s got."

Across both the WTC Cycles, Rahane for India has struck three centuries and scored 1,443 runs, while in 82 Tests for India, the batter has amassed 4,931 runs with 12 tons and 25 fifties. ​