Ajinkya Rahane stated that he wants his bat to speak for him and that he hopes to rejoin the Indian Test team. Rahane participated in the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia before making his final appearance for India during the West Indies tour. India chose to rely on younger players, therefore the Mumbai hitter was left off the Test squad despite putting up a strong showing against the Australians.
Rahane on India return
Since making a comeback to the domestic circuit, Rahane has been playing well. The 36-year-old made 437 runs in 12 innings during the current Ranji Trophy 2024–25 season, including a century against Haryana in the quarterfinals. This comes after an incredible Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign in which he amassed 469 runs at an average of 58.62 and a strike rate of 164.56 in nine games, making him the highest run scorer. Rahane told Indian Express that he had received advice to speak up and be in the news.
"I was always shy, now I have opened up. My focus has been to play cricket and go home. Nobody told me that going ahead, certain things will be needed. Today also, sometimes I feel ki bas cricket khelo, ghar jao. Now I am told I need to speak up, talk about my hard work. People say you need to be in the news ... I don’t have a PR team, my only PR is my cricket. I have now realised that staying in the news is important. Otherwise, people think that I’m out of the circle," said Rahane.
The Mumbai batsman stated that his current driving force for rejoining the Indian squad is Test cricket.
"Test cricket. There is still fire and passion in me. I’m playing Ranji Trophy at the moment, trying to give my all to the Mumbai team. The goal is clear to make another comeback. When I was dropped a few years ago, I made runs and was picked for the World Test Championship final and then was dropped again. But what is in my control? To play," Rahane added.
Rahane on missing out on BGT
Rahane captained the team after the first Test in lieu of Virat Kohli, making him one of India's standout players during the 2020–21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. He had to watch the action from the sidelines this time, which was difficult for the Mumbai batter. According to Rahane, he still believes he can contribute to the Indian team in the future.
"Yes (it was tough to watch BGT sitting at home). Previously, I was dropped despite doing well. So, somewhere I feel I can still serve the Indian team. Cricket is still left in me," said Rahane.
Rahane will lead the Mumbai side in their Ranji Trophy semi-final matchup with Vidarbha, on February 17 (Monday).