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“India needed me in AUS…”: Ajinkya Rahane vents out, dismisses age factor after Ranji heroics

Aakash Saini

Ajinkya Rahane [Source: AFP Photos]Ajinkya Rahane [Source: AFP Photos]

Ajinkya Rahane composed a courageous 159 against Chhattisgarh in Mumbai’s Elite Group D match of the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season at the BKC Academy in Mumbai. The legendary Indian cricketer grinded out for over 300 deliveries, and dispatched 21 of them for some regal boundaries.

Rahane’s innings also served a statement, considering the out-of-favour batter continues to find himself away from India’s Test contention ever since he was dropped from the national side in mid-2023.

Ajinkya Rahane rues lack of communication with selectors

Ajinkya Rahane shrugged off his twin failures against Jammu and Kashmir last week with an elegant century against Chhattisgarh while batting at number three for Mumbai. Still fighting on to get back into India’s Test setup at the age of 37, Rahane implied that he still has the intent of playing and succeeding at the highest level.

The seasoned Indian cricketer, also the mastermind of India’s historic Test series win in Australia back in 2021, said that experienced players are always looking to give their best for the team, and selectors should at least look into such cricketers who are passionate for red-ball formats. While speaking after the match and as quoted by the Indian Express, he said:

“It’s not about the age. It’s about the intent. It’s about the passion for the red ball and the hard work you put in the middle. After 34-35 players are old, players are always looking to do well. Players are always looking to give their best. And if someone is really passionate about playing red ball cricket. I think selectors should look into it. Because they come and watch the game. Every time it’s not about the performance. It’s about the intent and the passion and how you play with the red ball.”

Ajinkya Rahane also vented out his frustration, saying that an experience player like him deserved more chances. Moreover, the cricketer added that Team India needed him in Australia earlier this year, when the Rohit Sharma-led team lost the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test series 1-3. He stated:

“I thought an experienced player like me should get more chances. And there was no communication. I can focus on only the controllable things which I am doing right now. But as I said, the Indian team needed me in Australia and I was fully ready for it.”

Ajinkya Rahane, a veteran of 85 Tests, has scored over 5,000 runs at an average of 38.46 with 12 tons and 26 fifties. However, he was dropped out of the team after an extensive lean patch between 2022 and 2023.

On a side note, Rahane’s latest ton at the BKC helped Mumbai mount 406-8 by stumps on Day 2.