Former Indian cricketer Sreesanth backs Chennai Super Kings comeback man Ajinkya Rahane to play the all-important ODI World Cup later this year in India. Rahane has been in scintillating form for the four-time champions as he scored 224 runs in his six innings at a colossal strike rate of 189.83 in IPL 2023.
Following his heroics in IPL and domestic cricket, the 34-year-old made a stunning return to the Indian squad for the World Test Championship final against Australia scheduled for June 7. With Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer injured India might look to add on Rahane’s experience in the Number four spot for the 2023 World Cup.
Speaking on Star Sports, 2011 World Cup winner Sreesanth wants to see him back in the ODI squad as he has been doing exceptionally well in the cash-rich league and reckons that it will one of the boldest moves by the selectors to get back in the white ball format.
“I would love to see him in the [ODI] squad. The way he is performing, especially with the World Cup happening in India. That will be one of the boldest moves the selectors can make,” Sreesanth said.
Sreesanth said that he is confident of Rahane doing well for the side in World Test Championship Final against Australia and feels that he should be given the chance to represent in the forthcoming white ball series to see his potential in a white ball and reckons that he can win the matches for India in the white ball cricket.
“I am very confident he will do well in the World Test Championship final. But he shouldn’t look at that performance. He should be given the opportunity. Let’s see if there are other tournaments, if he is given the white-ball cricket back to him, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him going at No. 4 and winning matches for the country.”
Ajinkya Rahane played his last white-ball game for India in 2018 and he has overlooked by the selectors in the white-ball format. Rahane was dropped from the Test team for the home series against Sri Lanka in 2022 following his poor form.
I Would Say Not At The Moment – Sunil Gavaskar On Ajinkya Rahane’s Inclusion In ODI Team
Indian Cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar believes that Ajinkya Rahane can play only the red-ball cricket and feels that India should try to go with youngsters like Yashasvi Jaiswal or Ruturaj Gaikwad in the middle order rather going with Indian veteran in ODI team.
“Yes, I think it’s a good idea but I would say not at the moment. White-ball game, no Test match definitely yes, but white-ball game, no, I would look at somebody else. Maybe somebody who has been doing well in the white-ball format,” Sunil Gavaskar said.
“Somebody like an opening batter, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad, if they don’t find a place at the top of the order, they can bat in the middle order.”
The former India vice-captain came back strongly and played the 2022/23 Ranji Trophy season and piled up 634 runs in 7 matches at an average of 57.63. His tally included a century and a double century.