Only 13 players have scored more than 5000 runs in Test cricket for India. Ajinkya Rahane happens to be one of them. Having made his red-ball debut in 2013, Rahane quickly earned himself a name as someone who was good away from home. His record in Australia, South Africa, England and South Africa was better than at home.
Rahane was named deputy to Virat Kohli and even won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as India’s captain in 2020-21. But form had been a worry. From 2017 to 2023, only once (2019) did Rahane average more than 40 in a calendar year. He was dropped a couple of times, the last of which was in the West Indies in 2023.
Ajinkya Rahane ready for India vs England Tests
Rahane was 35 by then. And before India’s Test Tour of England begins on June 20, he’ll be 37. Age isn’t on his side. But Rahane isn’t ready to quit. Not yet. He’s currently leading the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. But his mind remains on making India’s squad for England as well.
“I would love to be back in the Indian set-up again. The desire, the hunger, the fire is still there. Fitness-wise, I am right up there. I just want to take one game at a time, thinking about this IPL right now, and then, let’s see what happens in the future,” Rahane said during Star Sports’ Press Room interaction.
Form, zeal & fitness: all there
The former Indian captain scored 263 runs at 52.60 in the second leg of the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season. And also played for Leicestershire in the County Championship last year. He’s in form, even in the IPL. And was one of the best batters in the Syed Mushtaq Trophy as well.
“I am a guy who will never give up. I always try and give my best on the field, to give more than 100 per cent. It’s always about that, focusing on controllable things. I have been playing domestic cricket as well, and I am really enjoying my cricket at this moment,” he added.
Rahane’s working on his fitness, and the zeal to represent his country is very much present. All he needs is an opportunity from the selectors. His Test record in England isn’t that great. But he’s got more experience than the likes of Sarfaraz Khan, Rajat Patidar, Sai Sudharsan, and Shreyas Iyer combined.
“I want to represent my country. I want to wear those Indian colours again. During the off-season, I train for two to three sessions a day. I feel at this moment, for me, keeping myself really fit is really important; recovery is really important,” Rahane said.
IPL now, England Test series next – KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane wants to “wear Indian colours again” Inside Sport India.
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