NEW DELHI: Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane has reaffirmed his unwavering determination to return to the Indian team, saying he still harbours the “desire and hunger” to represent the country again. The 36-year-old last featured in a Test match in 2023 and has been out of India’s white-ball plans for nearly a decade, but his focus remains clear.
"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 on Friday.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!"I am a guy who will never give up. (I) always try and give my best on the field; 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 most celebrated chapter in Indian colours came during the 2020–21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, where he led an injury-depleted side to a historic 2-1 Test series win. Despite that high, he soon found himself sidelined as younger talent emerged and took centre stage.
"Every day when I wake up, it's always about what goals I want to achieve. For me, there is nothing higher than representing your country," he reiterated.
"I want to represent my country. I want to wear those Indian colours again. During (the) off-season, I train for two-three sessions a day. I feel at this moment, for me, keeping myself really fit is really important, recovery is really important," he said.
"(I am) focusing on my diet as well...the motivation to do well for India, it's still there. I am enjoying my cricket, that is the important thing. I am still passionate. I still love the game."
As the conversation shifted towards IPL 2025 and KKR’s campaign, Rahane expressed full support for out-of-form vice-captain Venkatesh Iyer, who has struggled for consistency. With the defending champions needing to win all four of their remaining games to stay in playoff contention, pressure is mounting.
Iyer, the franchise’s costliest buy at Rs 23.75 crore, has only managed scores of 60 and 45 of note this season. In the last four games, he has accumulated just 28 runs. But Rahane is backing his deputy to bounce back.
"Every player goes through that phase where he is trying his best but the performance is not coming. He is a quality player. We all know that he has done well for the franchisee in the past, (he has) won the matches for the team as well," he said.
"It's important from management (and) leadership group point of view (that) we back him. He has been working really hard. People generally only see about the results and the outcome. But the hard work which all the players are doing, that is really important."
"From my point of view, we are completely backing Venkatesh Iyer. He is just one innings away. You can probably see one good innings from him in next four games," he added.
Rahane also admitted that the team’s opening combinations haven’t clicked consistently.
"Sunil Narine has done well in the past for us. This year, we started with Quinny (Quinton de Kock). Quinny played a very good knock. But again, he couldn't capitalise on that. He is trying hard. He is trying his best. But now, we have to look at the positives rather than what is not working for us," he said.
"Obviously, the errors (have) happened and that can happen in this format. You want your players to play with freedom, play sometimes with high-risk cricket, so we are bound to make errors."
"I don't like to pinpoint on any players or any particular number. Everyone has to contribute...It's not happening, yes. I accept that."
Looking ahead, Rahane emphasized the importance of focusing one match at a time, especially with upcoming games against Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings, both already eliminated from the playoff race.
"When teams are out, they have got nothing to lose and they come with a different mindset to play the game. For us, it's important to go out there with the right mindset (and) right attitude on that particular day and give our best," he said.