MS Dhoni played massive role in Ajinkya Rahane’s comeback in Indian team – Reports

Former India Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane has made his comeback in the national side for the Test Championship final 2023. He last played for the team in January last year. After the South Africa tour, he was dropped from the team after a string of poor performances. Rahane then went back to domestic cricket and scored decently in the Ranji Trophy 2022-23.

Meanwhile, the three-time Border Gavaskar Trophy winner has now been selected for the big final against Australia. It will take place from June 7 at the Oval, London. Rahane has replaced Shreyas Iyer, who has been ruled out due to back injury

“Ajinkya was always part of the plan when Shreyas got injured. He has the experience of playing in England and has been successful too. But of course, he was not in the setup for a year or so. We had only seen how he performed in the Ranji trophy. That is why Rahul turned to MS for his inputs,” a senior Indian Cricket Board official explained to InsideSport.

“We realise the potential of someone when we allow him to bat the way he bats. We give him freedom, give him the best position. In a team environment, someone has to sacrifice his slot to allow the others to get more comfortable, and allow the team to succeed,” MS Dhoni said of Rahane.

My best is yet to come: Ajinkya Rahane

The ongoing IPL 2023 has seen the fans another version of Rahane. For the first time since 2012 season, the Mumbaikar has played some attacking cricket in the cash-rich league.

“I’ve enjoyed all my knocks so far, I still feel the best is yet to come. It is a great learning, I’ve played under Mahi bhai for India for many years, and now even at CSK it has been a great learning. If you listen to whatever he says, you will more often than not perform,” Rahane said.

India squad WTC final: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, K L Rahul, KS Bharat (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat.