“I should have played BGT series” - Ajinkya Rahane expresses disappointment after spectacular ton versus Chhattisgarh

Ajinkya Rahane rolled back the years at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy BKC on Sunday, October 26, as he slammed a belligerent century against Chhattisgarh in the second round of the ongoing Ranji Trophy.

Three out of the top four batters in the Mumbai team aggregated just 21 runs after Chhattisgarh opted to bowl first. However, Rahane, who walked out to bat at No. 3, slammed 159 off 303 balls, belting 21 boundaries. He was eventually dismissed by Aditya Sarwate, but his knock had already taken Mumbai past the 350-run mark. At the end of Day 2, the 42-time champions reached 406/8 in 130 overs.

Rahane, who has been out of the Indian Test team since the tour of the West Indies in July 2023, said after the end of the day's play that he could have made a difference for the Asian giants during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar series. The 37-year-old brushed aside the age factor and gave the example of Michael Hussey, who made his debut for Australia at 30.

"It’s not about the age. It’s about the intent. It’s about the passion for the red ball and the hard work you put in the middle. So I don’t believe in that completely. In Australia, you see, Michael Hussey made his debut 30s. Still he made runs. Experience matters in red ball cricket. I thought, personally, the Indian team needed me in Australia,” 37-year-old Rahane said after scoring his 42 first class hundred.

Rahane also opined that the selectors must sometimes look beyond performances and consider a player's intent and passion for playing red-ball cricket.

"After 34-35 players are old. Players are always looking to do well. Players are always looking to give their best. And if someone is really passionate about playing red-ball cricket. I think selectors should look into it. Because they come and watch the game. Every time it’s not about the performance. It’s about the intent and the passion and how you play with the red ball," Rahane said.

Rahane also rued the lack of communication from the selectors during his time away from India's Test setup. He reiterated that the Indian team needed his services in Australia during the Test series.

"I thought an experienced player like me should get more chances. And there was no communication. I can focus on only the controllable things which I am doing right now. But as I said, the Indian team needed me in Australia and I was fully ready for it,” he asserted.

Young blood is important, but if you have experience, the team will do well: Rahane

Rahane also cited the examples of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who played well during the ODI series against Australia. While Rohit was the Player of the Series, Kohli scored a gritty half-century in the third ODI. The right-handed batter feels that a fine balance between youth and experience is needed in the squad for a team to produce impressive performances.

“When you have guys like Rohit and Virat, who have won so many matches for India especially in white ball cricket, you need that experience in the team. You cannot go with all newcomers, or the young ones in the team. Young blood is important, but if you have experience, the team will do well. It is especially the case in red ball cricket. I was really happy to see Rohit getting that 100,” he said.

Rahane's place in the Mumbai team was questioned by some of his critics. The veteran batter silenced his naysayers with a wonderful effort with the bat against a strong bowling attack.

“There are many unwanted people. When they don’t know about the game, they still talk about a player who has been playing consistently with a good attitude and intensity. I always want to do well for Mumbai. They don’t know what it takes. As an international cricketer who has played for so many years, I think something clicked for me. But the support of my family and kids has been massive. They’ve always been with me. They said, ‘Daddy, you can do it’,” he said.