“Experienced Players Like Me Deserve More Chances” – Ex-India Vice-Captain Slams Omission

Former India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane expressed that he deserved more chances to prove his worth in Test cricket. He believes experienced players like him should be given sufficient opportunities before selectors decide their future.

It has been over two years since Rahane last played for India in Tests, with his final appearance coming during the 2023 West Indies series, where he scored just 11 runs across two matches. Before that, he had impressed with knocks of 89 and 46 in the ICC World Test Championship Final against Australia.

In an interview with Sportstar following his century for Mumbai in the 2025 Ranji Trophy clash against Chhattisgarh, Rahane revealed that the selectors did not consult or communicate with him before dropping him from the Test squad.

“After playing so much cricket, when experienced players like me were dropped, I got a sense that there’s something different. I feel an experienced player like me should get more chances when he makes a comeback. But there was no communication,” the former India vice-captain said.

“I Felt Team India Needed Me In Australia” – Ex-Vice-Captain Ajinkya Rahane

Team India toured Australia for the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where the hosts dominated and clinched the series 3-1. Ajinkya Rahane, who was left out of the five-match Test series, believes his presence could have made a difference to India’s performance.

“Whether they select me or not, that’s their call, but I personally feel that the Indian team needed me in Australia, and I was fully ready for it,” Rahane added in the same chat with Sportstar.

Rahane, who turned 37 this year, said age is just a number and selectors should consider any fit and in-form player performing in domestic cricket. The veteran scored 159 off 303 balls against Chhattisgarh, keeping hopes of an India Test comeback alive.