‘It is now time to recuperate and recharge my body’ – Ajinkya Rahane reflects on opting out of Leicestershire stint

India veteran batter Ajinkya Rahane reflected on the past few months of his professional career and explained the reasons for opting out of the county stint with Leicestershire. The Test vice-captain expressed that he will concentrate on working hard on his match fitness ahead of the upcoming domestic season for Mumbai, which is scheduled to begin in October.

It is worth mentioning that the 35-year-old batter relished a stellar campaign with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 as he collected 326 runs in 14 appearances, lacing it with two fifties at an average of 32.60.

Following his impressive IPL run, the batter was recalled to the Test setup for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2021-23 final against Australia. In addition to this, the management elevated Rahane to the vice-captaincy role for the recently concluded two-Test series against the West Indies.

Rahane, who was supposed to join Leicestershire for county cricket, eventually pulled out of the competition, citing workload management. With this, he took to his social media handle to explain his decision, stating that he would focus on regaining his fitness in the coming two months.

“The last 4 months have been gratifying and with the high intensity cricket that we have played it is now time to recuperate and recharge my body for the domestic season that lies ahead of us. Representing Mumbai @MumbaiCricAssoc at every stage possible has always been a matter of honour for me and I will be working hard on my fitness over the next 2 months to be at my best for the domestic season which starts in October,” Rahane shared on his ‘X’ handle. 

“Hence, I have decided to opt out of the planned county stint with Leicestershire and prepare for the Indian domestic season. Leicestershire have been in regular touch with me and have been very understanding of the changing situation and I am hopeful of renewing my relationship with them in the future,” he added.

Meanwhile, Rahane will be gunning to regain his fitness and eyeing a spot in India’s tour of South Africa, slated to begin in December.