Mumbai: Ajinkya Rahane’s last one-day international appearance was over a year ago but India’s test vice-captain still hopes to make the cut for the World Cup squad.
The 30-year-old has been ignored for the shorter formats though he is an automatic selection in the Test team.
Rahane, who has a strike rate of 78.63 in ODIs is perceived as someone who lacks the muscle power to excel as a lower-order slogger.
“As a batsman, I am aggressive but by nature, I am quite shy. I prefer to let my bat speak but sometimes it’s important to speak the truth,” he said.
“I have always believed the team comes first and respected the management and the selectors’ decision. I will continue to do that. But in the end, it is important that your performance is recognised.
“The point is that if as a player I have always played for the team, then I deserve chances more consistently. That’s the least I am asking,” he added.
Rahane registered a player-of-the-series performance in West Indies in 2017 and also scored four consecutive fifties against Australia at home later that year.
But he was then asked to step down the batting order in South Africa in early 2018 as India went with the top three of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and captain Virat Kohli.
Chief selector M.S.K. Prasad recently said Rahane was still part of India’s World Cup plans and the cricketer is not giving up yet.
“It feels good that I am being considered. But at the same time, you need to get a chance,” said Rahane. “I am very much hopeful. Like I said, I keep negative thoughts away and you never know, things can change any time.”
Agencies
