"India needed me...": Ajinkya Rahane EXPOSES Ajit Agarkar over lack of communication in brutal attack

Ajinkya Rahane, the Mumbai batter who scored his 42nd First-class hundred on Sunday, hit back at the National Selectors for his constant snub and lack of opportunities. He has also mentioned his dedication to domestic cricket and has refused to consider age as a factor hindering his comeback.

Rahane has been overlooked by the Indian Test side for a long time and has not received any communication regarding his return, despite several strong performances in domestic tournaments over the years. He last played for India at the Port of Spain against the West Indies in 2023 and was part of the ICC World Test Championship Final squad against Australia.

The 37-year-old boasts a stunning red-ball record, having featured in 85 Tests, and he has amassed 5077 runs at an average of 38.46. He scored 12 centuries and 26 half-centuries and was one of the pillars of Indian cricket during their rise to the No. 1 position in the longest format of the game under MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli.

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"Age is just a number," Ajinkya Rahane shows passion for red-ball cricket with his latest First-class century

Ajinkya Rahane restored faith in himself and his caliber with a splendid hundred against Chhattisgarh in the Group A Ranji Trophy match for Mumbai and immediately turned the grind towards the national selectors, raising questions over experience, lack of opportunities, and communication.

The Mumbai batter who appeared during the India vs England tour in the commentary session at Lord's had also revealed his desire to make a comeback for India. He once again expressed his desire to continue playing for India and further added that the Indian team needed him in the past series as well.

"Age is just a number," he noted, trying to make a point. "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 you. It's not about the age. It's about the intent. It's about the passion for the red ball," Rahane said, as quoted by Cricbuzz.

"I feel an experienced player like me should get more chances when he makes a comeback" - Rahane

He has shed light on India's disappointing campaign in Australia, where they faced a humiliating 3-1 defeat at the hands of the home side in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He felt that there was a need for experienced players in the side, and a player like him should be handed more opportunities.

"The Indian team needed me in Australia" - Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane cited former Australian great Michael Hussey as a classic example of age being just a number and said that experience matters in overseas Tests, and hence, India needed him in the BGT last year. It is worth noting that Rahane was part of the teams that won the BGT in Australia.

"In Australia, you see, Michael Hussey made his debut in his late 30s. He still scored runs. So, experience matters in red-ball cricket. And I thought, personally, the Indian team needed me in Australia."

"Selectors talk about playing domestic cricket. I've been playing domestic cricket for the last four to five seasons. Sometimes, it's not about the runs. It's about the intent. It's about the experience [you get] when you play in Australia, England, or South Africa... so, I don't buy that age factor," Rahane concluded.

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