“The Fire Is Still Burning” Ajinkya Rahane Talks About India Comeback

Ajinkya Rahane may have been away from the international stage for a while, but his desire to don the Indian jersey remains as strong as ever. The 36 years old batter, who last played for India in July 2023 during the Test series against the West Indies, is currently leading Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25. With 437 runs in eight matches, including a crucial 108-run knock in Mumbai’s quarterfinal victory over Haryana, Rahane continues to prove his worth.

As Mumbai prepares for their semifinal clash against Vidarbha at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur, Rahane reiterated his hunger for the game in an interview with The Indian Express. “I’m more experienced now, but I still feel young. I’m fit enough to compete at the highest level. I have a deep passion for the game, and the hunger to perform has never faded. I never take my game for granted, and the fire inside me to play at the highest level is still burning,” he stated.

Despite being a part of several match-winning performances across all three formats since his international debut in 2011, Ajinkya Rahane has often remained in the shadows compared to star players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Cheteshwar Pujara. Reflecting on his career, he admitted that while he always prioritized his cricket, he has now realized the importance of staying in the spotlight.

“I was always a reserved person, but I’ve started opening up now. My focus was always on playing cricket and going home. Nobody told me earlier that in the long run, certain things would be necessary. Even today, sometimes I just feel like playing and going home. But now people tell me I need to speak up, share my journey, and talk about my hard work. I don’t have a PR team—my only PR is my cricket. But I’ve come to understand that staying in the news is important. Otherwise, people assume I’m out of the circle,” Rahane shared.

With his unwavering dedication and recent performances in domestic cricket, Rahane remains hopeful for another opportunity with Team India. His journey may have seen ups and downs, but his determination to prove himself at the highest level remains unchanged.