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India.com
13-07-2025
- Sport
- India.com
Watch- I am A Guy Who Will Never Give Up, Still Want To Play Test Cricket: BGT Hero Vows To Fight For India Test Comeback
Ajinkya Rahane, who last represented India in Test cricket during the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia, has reiterated his desire to make a return to the longest format of the game. Despite not wearing the whites for nearly two years, the veteran batter remains hopeful of another opportunity. Currently in England for India's five-match Test series, Rahane was spotted at Lord's and spoke about his ambitions during an interview with Sky Sports Cricket. The 37-year-old shared that the passion for Test cricket still burns strong within him. '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 said. Rahane has featured in 85 Test matches for India, amassing 5077 runs in the format. Despite being out of the national team for some time, his commitment to the game has remained intact. A few months ago, he had similarly expressed his aspirations for a comeback. '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,' he added. "I still want to play Test cricket!" Ajinkya Rahane joins Athers & Nas at Lord's... and the 37-year-old still has a desire to play in white for India — Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 12, 2025 Rahane emphasized that giving up has never been an option for him. 'I am a guy who will never give up. 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 also has leadership credentials to his name, having captained India in six Tests. Most notably, he led the team during the 2020–21 Border-Gavaskar series, which is remembered for one of the greatest comebacks in Test history. After India were bowled out for 36 in Adelaide and regular captain Virat Kohli returned home, Rahane stepped in and guided the team to a famous series win. His century in the second Test at Melbourne was a turning point, helping India level the series and eventually clinch it despite multiple injury setbacks.
NDTV
13-07-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
Sitting At Lord's Ground, Ignored India Star Reveals BCCI Selectors Paid No Heed To His Plea
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, 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, 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. Rahane is present at the 'Home of Cricket', Lord's, for India's third Test against England. After both teams took lunch on the third day, Rahane, known for his robust technique, made an honest admission and declared his yearning to still play Test cricket for India. "I still want to play Test cricket, I am passionate about Test cricket. For me, it is about focusing on the controllable. Frankly, I tried to have conversations with the selectors, but I got no response. What I can do is keep playing. I love Test cricket. I love playing with the red ball. It is a passion," Rahane told Sky Sports. "I still want to play Test cricket!" Ajinkya Rahane joins Athers & Nas at Lord's... and the 37-year-old still has a desire to play in white for India — Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 12, 2025 After batting stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retired from Tests, there was a bleak opportunity for Rahane's return. Despite his valuable experience of playing in England, the Indian selectors entrusted their faith in youngsters and infused young blood into the squad. Rahane, who is among the selected Indians to celebrate a century at Lord's, has had a fair share of memorable moments in the whites. During India's tour of Australia for the 2020-20 21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Rahane took over the captaincy from Virat Kohli, who left the tour due to the birth of his child. With Rahane at the helm, India notched mercurial wins in the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne and the decisive Gabba Test to script a fairy-tale series. He finished as India's third-highest run-getter with 268 runs, including a century in the Boxing Day Test in front of a jam-packed crowd at the MCG. Rahane outlined the difference in his captaincy style from Virat's and said, "Every captain must have their own style. When I became the Test captain, I always wanted to back my style, thinking, and instinct. For me, it was about staying true to my character, backing my instincts." Since making his debut in 2013, Rahane has earned 85 Test caps, garnered 5077 runs at 38.46, laced with 12 centuries and 16 fifties. The 37-year-old captained Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy last season, finishing with 467 runs in nine appearances at 35.92, including a solitary ton and a fifty. He steered Mumbai to the semi-finals but failed to reclaim the title after a heartbreaking defeat against Vidarbha.
Indian Express
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
‘I still want to play Test cricket': Ajinkya Rahane hopes to represent India again
India batter Ajinkya Rahane was on hand at Lord's where India is currently taking on England in the 3rd Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy and said in an interview with Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain that he still hopes to represent India in all whites. '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,' the 37-year-old said on Sky Sports Cricket. Rahane last played Test cricket for India in 2023 while he hasn't featured for the limited overs teams for close to a decade. A few months ago also, he had reiterated his desire to return to the longest format. "I still want to play Test cricket!" 👀 Ajinkya Rahane joins Athers & Nas at Lord's… and the 37-year-old still has a desire to play in white for India 💙 — Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 12, 2025 '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 had said. '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 had added. Rahane's biggest moment of glory was perhaps the 2020-21 tour of Australia in which he led an injury-plagued side to a historic and emotionally overwhelming 2-1 Test series win. However, within the next couple of years he found himself on the sidelines as younger players climbed up the ladder.
