Ajinkya Rahane, the Mumbai batsman, expressed his disappointment with the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) and selectors for overlooking him in the Test squad. Rahane’s remarks came after a remarkable innings of 159 runs off 303 deliveries against Chhattisgarh in the Ranji Trophy. He played a crucial role in rescuing Mumbai from a top-order collapse, leading them to a respectable total of 406 for 8 by the end of the second day.
Following his innings, Rahane strongly criticized the Indian selectors for his exclusion from the Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad in 2024–25. Addressing the media after the day’s play, Rahane emphasized the importance of experience, citing his absence in India’s unsuccessful tour of Australia led by Rohit Sharma, where they lost 1–3 despite winning the first Test in Perth. Rahane, aged 37, stressed that selectors should prioritize performance and dedication over age.
Rahane, known for leading India to a memorable Test series triumph in Australia in 2020–21, highlighted the lack of communication from the BCCI regarding his exclusion from the recent Australian tour, despite his consistent performance in domestic cricket. The veteran player expressed his desire to represent the national team again after his last Test appearance in 2023 against the West Indies.
Reflecting on his situation, Rahane stated, “After playing for so long, it was disheartening to be dropped without any explanation. I believe experienced players like me deserve more opportunities to make a comeback. Despite the lack of communication, I remain focused on giving my best on the field.”
India’s 2024–25 tour of Australia was marked by poor performance as Australia dominated the series, eventually securing a spot in the World Test Championship Final. The tour also saw controversies and witnessed the retirements of prominent players like Ravichandran Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli before the start of the next cycle.