NEW DELHI: Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane may no longer be in the selectors' plans, but the 37-year-old is gearing up for another domestic season, beginning next month, with the hope of earning a recall to the national Test side.
Rahane, who has scored 5077 runs in 85 Tests, including 12 centuries, last featured for India during the West Indies tour in 2023.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Since then, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee has chosen to focus on the future, overlooking both Rahane and fellow veteran Cheteshwar Pujara.
"It's good to be here. I still want to play Test cricket. I am really passionate about playing Test cricket and at this moment, I am enjoying my cricket. Just here for a few days and I carried my training clothes so that I can keep myself fit. Our domestic season is starting so the preparation has just begun," Rahane told Nasser Hussain on Sky Sports Cricket.
On the domestic circuit, Rahane is expected to once again lead Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy.
"For me, it's all about focusing on the controllable things," Rahane said.
"Frankly, I tried to have conversations with the selectors, but things [like that are] as a player I cannot control.
"I got no response. As a player all I can do is keep playing cricket, keep enjoying the game, give my best each and every time.
"I love playing Test cricket, love playing red-ball, it's a passion. The love for the game keeps me going."
For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the
India vs England Test match here.
Catch Manika Batra's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 3. Watch Here!The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the ...
Read MoreThe TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide.
From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more.
The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics.
We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects.
We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.
Read Less