A month away from his 37th birthday, Ajinkya Rahane nonetheless has the fireplace in his stomach to play for India once more.
Rahane, a former Test captain who led the nation to an unbelievable sequence win in opposition to Australia 5 years in the past, final donned India colors in a Test in 2023, in an ODI in 2018 and in a T20I in 2016.
Currently main Indian Premier League defending champion Kolkata Knight Riders, Rahane, the franchise’s highest run-getter this season, mentioned, “I would love to be back in the Indian set-up again. The desire, the hunger, the fire is still there. Fitness-wise, I’m right up there…I’m a guy who will never give up.”
During a Star Sports Press Room interplay on Friday, Rahane mentioned, “Every day when I wake up, it’s about wanting to represent my country.
“During the off-season, I train for two-three sessions a day. Skill-wise, I’ve been practising for so many years. The fitness factor is the key, I’m working hard on that, focusing on my diet. I don’t talk much about it.”
Despite being an attacking participant, Rahane mentioned he had been adapting to conditions in T20s. “You’ve seen me playing with different strike-rates in the last two-three years. Even I started here with a very good strike-rate. Then I had to adapt to the situation because our batsmen were struggling to get runs.”
Even as KKR had a topsy-turvy trip this season, Rahane mentioned his facet ought to give attention to profitable its remaining 4 matches and enter the play-offs.
About KKR’s two upcoming house matches, Rahane rated Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings, that are already out of the play-offs race, as ‘dangerous’ groups with nothing to lose.
Rahane mentioned his hand harm was okay and hoped to play in opposition to RR on Sunday.
Published – May 02, 2025 06:04 pm IST
