Team India vice-captain in the Test format, Ajinkya Rahane rued the fact that he failed to make it to the Indian World Cup squad for the 2019 World Cup. Just like any other cricketer, it was his aspiration to play for Indian in the World Cup. However, after getting ignored for the quadrennial event, he has signed a county stint with Hampshire and will look to improve his batting skills in the shorter formats of the game.
Ajinkya Rahane last played an ODI against South Africa a year back. However, since then he has been ignored and has never returned to the Indian limited overs squad. “I always try to control things rather than thinking about consequences. I always prefer to stay in the present. What is important for me is to play well for Hampshire County. It is my first stint with Hampshire and I am really excited,” said Ajinkya Rahane.
“Every player wants to represent their country in the World Cup and my dream is also to represent my country and play in the World Cup. But right now, my focus is completely on the county stint and I am looking forward to doing well for Hampshire and learn many more things. I had a phone conversation with Rahul Bhai (Rahul Dravid) and he told me that he actually learnt a lot playing county cricket. It’s a completely new experience.”
Ajinkya Rahane had a relatively mediocre year and a half after failing to put up substantial scores on the board. He was even dropped from the Test Playing XI despite being the designated vice-captain in the longest format of the game. Ajinkya Rahane will look to prepare himself for the Windies tour with some good practice in the county. The series against Windies will be played just after the conclusion of the World Cup.
“I had played a couple of Test series over there in 2014 and last summer, so I know English conditions pretty well. But in the county you get to learn so many things from your teammates, the culture is different and as an overseas player there will be responsible. So, it’s all about being positive,” he said.
“I am now looking forward to change to red ball cricket from white ball because after that we are going to West Indies for the Test series. So, my focus is on playing good cricket and staying positive,” Ajinkya Rahane concluded.