Former captain and seasoned batter Ajinkya Rahane expressed his desire to play Test cricket for India, a format he loves, despite getting “no response” from selectors. The 37-year-old Ajinkya Rahane , who was a part of India’s defeat in the World Test Championship 2023 final against Australia, has been out of favour since the tour of the West Indies in 2023. After the conclusion of the series, Ajinkya Rahane was dropped from the fold and continued to put in the hard yards in the domestic setup to force his way into the side yet again.
Ajinkya Rahane has made a passionate revelation about his desire to play Test cricket. He has played 85 matches in which he has scored 5077 runs, which includes 12 centuries and 26 half-centuries. At the age of 37, its been quite long since Rahane has played in Tests, he last played in 2023.
Ajinkya Rahane’s topsy turvy cricket career
Ajinkya Rahane, once a pivotal player in India’s Test squad, has been absent from international cricket for a considerable duration. Known for his remarkable performances on foreign soil, Ajinkya Rahane has been dedicatedly honing his skills, focusing on the domestic circuit, particularly gearing up for the Ranji Trophy.
The veteran cricketer last represented India during a West Indies tour in July of the previous year. While out of the international scene, he has been diligently leading Mumbai in domestic competitions. His recent leadership in the Vijay Hazare Trophy saw Mumbai reach the quarter-finals, despite Rahane’s individual performance being less than exemplary. In the eight matches he played during the tournament, Rahane managed only 158 runs at an average of 26.33, with his highest score being 78 runs against Tripura.
Mumbai unveiled their 15-player squad for the impending Ranji Trophy season on January 1st, notably missing key names like Suryakumar Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Prithvi Shaw from the roster. With their campaign set to kick off against Bihar on January 5th, Ajinkya Rahane was keen on making an impact and rejuvenating his cricketing journey.
Since losing his Test spot, Rahane has led Mumbai in two straight Ranji Trophy seasons, winning their 42nd title in 2023-24, while they finished runners-up in 2024-25. He was also part of Mumbai’s title-winning Syed Mushtaq Ali (T20) squad.
Ajinkya Rahane hit 467 runs in 14 innings at an average of 35.92 in the 2024-25 Ranji season, with one fifty and a hundred. He was the highest run-getter for Kolkata Knight Riders during a disappointing IPL 2025, where they finished eighth out of ten teams. Ajinkya Rahane hit 390 runs in 14 innings at a strike rate of 147.27.
Ajinkya Rahane, 37, hasn’t played a Test in two years now, but has reiterated his “hunger and passion” for the game and red-ball cricket, even though he has “got no response” from the selectors.
I still want to play Test cricket- Ajinkya Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane has expressed that his desire to play Test cricket still remains strong, despite receiving no communication from the selectors regarding a potential comeback. Speaking during Day 3 of the ongoing Lord’s Test between India and England, Rahane said he continues to train hard and stay match-fit in hopes of earning another chance to don the whites for India.
The 37-year-old last played a Test in 2023 during the West Indies tour, and while the Indian Test squad has undergone a generational shift since. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retiring and Shubman Gill taking over as captain, Ajinkya Rahane remains hopeful.
“I still want to play Test cricket. I’m really passionate about playing Test cricket, and at this moment, I’m enjoying my cricket,” Rahane said in an interview with Sky Sports.
“Just here for a few days, I carried my trainers, my training clothes, so that I can keep myself fit. Our domestic season is starting, so the preparations have just begun.”
Ajinkya Rahane, who led India during several key overseas victories, has seen his Test career stall due to inconsistent form and the rise of younger players. However, the veteran batter believes that the only thing in his control is performance.
“See, for me, it’s all about focusing on the controllable things,” Rahane said.
“Frankly, I tried to have conversations with the selectors, but again, there are things as a player I cannot control. I got no response.”
Despite the silence from the decision-makers, Ajinkya Rahane said he won’t let the setback derail his motivation.
“For me, as a player, what I can do is to keep playing cricket, keep enjoying the game and give my best every time,” he added.
“I love playing Test cricket, I love playing red ball. And it’s a passion, it’s a love for the game that always keeps me going.”
While a return may seem unlikely given the changing landscape of Indian Test cricket, Ajinkya Rahane’s commitment to the format and his experience could yet be an asset. For now, he’ll turn his focus to domestic cricket with Mumbai and aim to make a strong statement through performance.
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