Veteran batsman Ajinkya Rahane said on Sunday that he was disappointed to be left out of India’s 2024–25 tour to Australia. He claimed that age should not be a factor in national selection and that his presence would have helped the squad in Australia.
When questioned about his exclusion from the selection for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which India lost 1-3, Rahane, who scored a memorable 303-ball 159 with 21 fours for Mumbai against Chhattisgarh in the Ranji Trophy in Mumbai, could not hide his emotions.
“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),” Rahane, whose last Test was against the West Indies in 2023, said.
“It’s not about the age. It’s about the intent. It’s about the passion for the red-ball (cricket) and it’s about the hard work which you put in the middle — that’s what matters to me so I don’t believe in that completely,” he added.
To further emphasize his point, the 37-year-old used the example of former Australian cricketer Michael Hussey, who made a delayed Test debut.
“In Australia (if) you see. Michael Hussey made his debut in late 30s and still he made runs. Experience matters in red-ball cricket and I thought personally the Indian team needed me in Australia — that’s my personal feeling,” said Rahane, who had led the side to a stirring 2-1 away series win over the Aussies in 2020-21.
Before making his final appearance for the country against the Windies, Rahane made his Test comeback against Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s in 2023.
“I made my comeback in the 2023 WTC final and before that, I played two years of domestic cricket (where) I did really well. I (also) did well in the IPL and got into the WTC final in which I made my comeback,” he recalled.
However, the lack of communication on the choice to move on from him hurt the Mumbai guy.
“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. I thought an experienced player like me should get more chances when you make a comeback. But there was no communication.
“I can focus on only the controllable things, which I’m doing right now. If they select me (or even) if they don’t select me, that’s fine, it’s their call. But as I said, the Indian team needed me in Australia and I was fully ready for it,” he said.
Rahane stated that he has been carrying out the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee’s directive that all Indian players participate in domestic cricket whenever they are available and free, and that experience should be given the weight it deserves.
“You always (see) selectors talk about playing domestic cricket. I’ve been playing domestic cricket for the last 4-5 seasons. Sometimes, it’s not about the runs or performance. It’s about the intent. It’s about the experience. When you play in Australia, England (or) South Africa, it’s about the experience,” he said.
“I don’t buy into that after 34 or 35 (age) 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.”
Rahane then underlined his theory with the efforts of Virat Kohli (74 not out) and Rohit Sharma (121 not out).
“It proves that age is just a number — that’s what I said. At the highest level when you have guys like Rohit and Virat who have won so many matches for India, especially in white-ball cricket, you need that experience in the team,” he said.
According to Rahane, a team cannot be made up entirely of rookies because experience is crucial in elite cricket.
“You cannot go (with) all the newcomers. Yes, young blood is important. But I feel if you have experience the team will do well especially in red-ball cricket. I was really happy to see Rohit getting that hundred.”
Rahane, who resigned as Mumbai’s red-ball captain and was replaced by Shardul Thakur, also took aim at some “unwanted people on the outside” who were working against a player with a positive mentality.
“You see, something clicked for me. I know how good a player I am. I don’t like to focus on what’s going on outside.
“There are many unwanted people (and) when they don’t know about the game, talk about a player who has been playing consistently with good attitude, good intensity (and) always wants to do well for Mumbai,” he said.
“They don’t know what it takes as an international cricketer who has played for so many years. I don’t want to name anyone. I thought this (his 100 on this day) was really good.”
Sarfaraz Khan, an out-of-favor batter, was likewise counseled by Rahane to keep working hard.
“Don’t get distracted, don’t get frustrated. It’s very easy to say but it’s very hard to do. If you can just focus on playing cricket and keep scoring guns. But as a player when you go through this phase it’s really challenging. Mumbai cricket is behind him and (will) support him. We know how good he is as a batsman. So it’s about the time, just keep your head down and focus on the controllable things.”
