Ricky Ponting feels Ajinkya Rahane has great chance to prolong his Test career after his knock in WTC 2023 Final

Star India batter Ajinkya Rahane has made a remarkable comeback in the Indian Test team with a magnificent knock of 89 in the first innings of the ICC World Test Championship final 2023. Rahane got involved in a massive 109-run partnership with Shardul Thakur for the seventh wicket to help India avoid the follow-on. Commenting on Rahane’s performance, former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has said that the batter has made the most of his opportunity and has a great chance to revive his Test career.

"He has made the most of his opportunity and that is all you can do. I think there are two more Test matches in the West Indies after this before Rahul and Iyer are back, so he has got a real opportunity to prolong his Test career for another couple of years,” Ponting was quoted as saying by the ICC.

Ajinkya Rahane got a call-up in the Indian Test team on the back of stupendous performances in IPL 2023 and Ranji Trophy. The 35-year-old last played a Test in January 2023 against South Africa and was dropped from the side after a string of low scores. However, he was seen in imperious touch in IPL where was batting at a breathtaking strike rate of 172.48 and amassed 326 runs in the tournament. Furthermore, commenting on his comeback, Ponting said that it’s amazing how IPL performances helped him to get selected for the Test team.

"I am really happy to see him back out there and playing and when you see him play like that (against Australia) you just wonder why he hasn't been in this India team for the last couple of years. Isn’t it amazing now in this modern game. He probably got back into this Indian Test team on the back of some performances in the IPL, so well played to him,” he added.

Rahane got a chance ahead of injured Shreyas Iyer

Rahane got selected ahead of the injured Shreyas Iyer in the WTC squad who was ruled out due to his recurring back injury. Iyer went through surgery in April and failed to get fit in time for the marquee event. 

Meanwhile, after the WTC final, India will lock horns with West Indies in a two-match Test series July-August. With both Iyer and KL Rahul going through rehabilitation, Rahane is all set to get another chance and seal his spot in the Test team for a long time.