‘Thought I played well in WTC Final’ – Ajinkya Rahane eyes return to Test team after leading Mumbai into Ranji Trophy semi-finals

Veteran Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane has revealed his desire to earn his spot in India’s Test team. The 36-year-old scored a terrific ton against Haryana in the Ranji Trophy quarterfinals that was played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Rahane scored 31 in the first innings and followed it up with 108 in the second innings. 

The 36-year-old last played for India in 2023 during the tour of the West Indies after playing in the WTC finals. The veteran batter had scored 89 in the first innings in the WTC Finals against Australia and followed it up with 46 in the second. The subsequent tour of the West Indies saw Rahane score just eleven runs before getting dropped from the team. 

Rahane, while speaking to the media at the end of the game, as quoted by ESPN CRICINFO, said, “I am not thinking about the future at all, but I do know that I am batting well. I had a good performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. This Ranji Trophy season is going well too.”

Veteran India batter Ajinkya Rahane set eyes on return to Test side 

Speaking to the media, Mumbai’s skipper also said, “I batted nicely in the World Test Championship final in 2023 too. After that, I got dropped. Being selected or not selected is another matter and the job of the selectors. But I thought I played well in that WTC final." 

The veteran batter also added that he wanted to play his cricket with a positive mindset and wasn’t concerned about anything else. “In all this, I feel I have a lot of cricket left in me. That's why I am playing domestic cricket consistently. I just have one goal right now, and that is to play cricket with a positive mindset, and whatever happens after that, happens."

“Domestic cricket has given me everything; I still have that ‘Jazba’ within me. Before any match, I still have that desire and hunger that I possessed earlier. I don't know about the future, but I do know I am far from done. That's why I have been giving my 100% in domestic cricket." Said Rahane.

Mumbai are set to meet Vidarbha in the semi-finals of the Ranji Trophy 2024/25 season in a rematch from last year’s finals. Having set Haryana 354 to win, Royston Dias’ 5/39 helped Mumbai bowl out the opposition for just 201 to win the match by 152 runs.