Ajinkya Rahane is currently busy playing for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the ongoing IPL. In six matches, he has scored 224 runs, at an average of 44.80 and a strike rate of 189.83. His attacking approach has surprised everyone. But, Rahane made headlines when he got a place in the WTC squad of Team India.
India will play Australia at the Oval on 7 June 2023 for the WTC final. But, it was quite surprising to see Rahane getting a place. Fans also claimed that the selectors might have selected him on the basis of IPL only. But, regarding that, the former Team India coach, Ravi Shastri slammed fans and provides the justification for Rahane’s selection.
“When you go six months into a holiday, you miss those 600 runs" - Ravi Shastri
While speaking to ESPNcricinfo on the Ravi & Raunak Show, Ravi Shastri said: "I'm so glad he's made it to the side. He batted beautifully in these two-three games he's played in the IPL, has looked in great touch. And let's not forget the experience he has. The moment Shreyas Iyer was injured, you had to look in that direction."
"People think he's just played three IPL games and that's why he's in the side. They must have been on holiday for six months when he was playing first-class cricket. They must've been somewhere in the jungle where there's no contact with anyone in the world. When you go six months into a holiday, you miss those 600 runs," Shastri further added.
Before this ongoing IPL, Rahane was in action in the domestic circuit. Ajinkya Rahane was the skipper of Mumbai during the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy. He scored 634 runs in 11 innings at an average of 57.64, including two centuries. Still, fans claimed that there are many players like Sarfaraz Khan who have scored such amount of runs for many years now in the domestic circuit. But, still, they get neglected when it comes to the selection for the Men in Blue.
Here is how fans have reacted:
Haan sarfaraz tou pakoda tal Raha tha FC mein do saal se.
— KhoyaKhoyaHoon (@KhoyaHoon) April 29, 2023
Koi bhi khelo bas australia ke against wtc finals mein match winning runs banao aur trophy dilao, warna sab baaton ka koi matlab nahin hai.
— Noone (@UdtaS) April 29, 2023
Ravi Sir 🫡
— P̶r̶a̶t̶h̶a̶m̶ ̶A̶g̶r̶a̶w̶a̶l̶ ̶™̶̶ (@AgrawalMohit17) April 29, 2023
Were u on holiday when sarfraz scoring runs !!??
— Deric Gladson (@dericgladson) April 29, 2023
So has Sarfaraz Khan, if not more!
— Lucky Guy (@LckyGuy) April 29, 2023
The best TEST BATSMAN in squad. Not even Chokli is close to him
— ANSH 🇮🇳 (@Ansh_MSDian) April 29, 2023
Sarfaraz scored much more and at higher consistency ravi shastri
— Clairvoyant (@Anachronist26) April 29, 2023
Then why player's like sarfraz khan not getting chances?
— Vignesh PEREZ OUT❌️ (@ViniciusJrERA) April 29, 2023
Owned IPL kids 😂🔥
— Virat Kohli Worldwide (@ViratianTweets) April 29, 2023