Ajinkya Rahane, the veteran Indian batter, has publicly expressed his desire to make a comeback to Test cricket, even at 37 years old. Despite his passion for the format and a willingness to contribute, Rahane revealed that his attempts to communicate with the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee have been met with silence.
Rahane's last appearance for India in Test cricket was in 2023 against the West Indies, where he served as the vice-captain. He has a long and storied career, representing India in 85 Test matches and scoring 5,077 runs at an average of 38.46, including 12 centuries and 26 half-centuries. He was even the vice-captain of the Indian Test team and led the side to a memorable Border-Gavaskar Trophy win in 2020-21 in Australia in the absence of Virat Kohli.
Speaking to Sky Sports during the third Test between India and England at Lord's, Rahane reaffirmed his commitment to Test cricket. "I still want to play Test cricket. I am really passionate about playing Test cricket, and at this moment, I'm enjoying my cricket," he said. He emphasized that he is maintaining his fitness and preparing for the upcoming domestic season.
However, Rahane also disclosed that he has not received any response from the selectors, despite his efforts to initiate conversations. "Frankly, I tried to have conversations with the selectors, but I got no response," Rahane stated. Despite this lack of communication, Rahane remains focused on what he can control: his performance. "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.
Rahane's recent form in domestic cricket and the IPL suggests that he is still a valuable asset. He led Mumbai to the Ranji Trophy title in 2024 and has been a consistent performer. In the IPL 2025, he has also shown good form, scoring 297 runs for Kolkata Knight Riders and leading the team.
Despite his efforts and experience, the current selection committee seems to be focused on building a team with younger players. With players like Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel establishing themselves in the middle order, the path for Rahane's comeback appears challenging. Furthermore, the retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket has sparked debate about bringing back experienced players like Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara.
In the face of uncertainty, Rahane remains steadfast in his passion for Test cricket. He has stated that he doesn't want to look too far ahead and is focused on performing in the present. "I am really enjoying my cricket at the moment... For me, it is about staying in the moment, enjoying my cricket and my batting. I don't want to think far ahead. We have a job in hand," Rahane said. He also recognizes the importance of staying in the news and letting his cricket speak for itself. "People say you need to be in the news, I don't have a PR team, my only PR is my cricket," he added.
While the selectors' silence may be discouraging, Ajinkya Rahane's unwavering commitment to Test cricket and his focus on performance keep the door open for a potential return to the Indian team.
