Ajinkya Rahane hopeful of making white-ball comeback for Team India

India’s Test stalwart Ajinkya Rahane last played white-ball cricket for the national team back in the 2018 tour of South Africa. Despite not playing for nearly two and half years, the 32-year-old hasn’t shelved his dreams of a comeback in the shorter formats. In ODI cricket, the right-hander has 2,962 runs from 90 matches at an average of 35.26 with three tons and 24 half-centuries.

However, it was his strike-rate of 78.63 that seemed to have gone against the Mumbai batter. Nevertheless, Rahane sounded confident about his numbers in the 50-overs format and wants to stay focussed on staking his claim back into the team.

I have faith in myself: Ajinkya Rahane

“I am hopeful of making a comeback in white ball cricket. If you see my record before getting dropped in ODIs, it was really good actually. People talk about strike rate and averages. Before getting dropped from 50-over cricket, it was really good. I have faith in myself rather than what people are saying,” Rahane was quoted as saying in a Zoom call from Dubai.

Rahane is set to play for the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League after moving from the Rajasthan Royals. But unlike in RR, he may not get to open in DC. The Capitals already have Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan as the specialist openers followed by West Indies’ Shimron Hetmyer.

Rahane, who’s currently serving the quarantine period, said that he won’t mind batting in the middle-order as well.

“We are still in quarantine, so I don’t know what role I am going to play. Once training starts and the communication within the group happen, we will be aware. I have enjoyed opening the batting but it’s up to the team management,” he stated.

“If there is a situation where I have to bat at No. 5 and 6, I will do it. That way I can explore a new aspect about my game. Once the role is clear it will help,” Rahane added.

On Saturday, August 28, the Capitals will have their first training session, confirmed by head coach Ricky Ponting. Rahane said that he’s looking forward to play under the tutelage of the 2003 and 2007 World Cup-winning Australian skipper.