Ravi Shastri, the ex-head coach of the Indian cricket team, has praised the decision made by the selectors to include the experienced batsman in the squad for the ICC World Test Championship Final.
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On Tuesday, 25th April, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unveiled the list of players selected for the upcoming clash against Australia in the final of the ICC World Test Championship.
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While many of the names in the squad were anticipated, the inclusion of Ajinkya Rahane came as an unexpected surprise.
Ajinkya Rahane’s last appearance for the Indian cricket team in Test matches was in January 2022, after which he fell out of favor in the red-ball setup.
Prior to being excluded, Rahane had a disastrous 2021 season, managing only 479 runs in 13 Tests, with an average of 20.82.
His most recent Test century was scored at the MCG during the unforgettable Border-Gavaskar series of 2020/21, where he led India’s comeback following the dismal 36 all out in the first Test.
Due to an injury to Shreyas Iyer, there was a gap to be filled in the middle order, and India opted for experience in the one-off Ultimate Test by including Ajinkya Rahane in the squad.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri, when asked about Rahane’s return to the team, stated that the selectors had made the right decision.
“I’m thrilled to see him back in the team,” Shastri told ESPNcricinfo.
“He’s been batting beautifully in the two or three IPL games he’s played and has looked in excellent form. Additionally, we must not overlook his wealth of experience. As soon as Shreyas Iyer was injured, the selectors had to consider bringing Rahane back into the team.”
“People believe that he was chosen solely because he played three IPL games. However, for the last six months, he has been playing first-class cricket, and those who believe otherwise must have been in some jungle with no connection to the outside world. When you take a six-month holiday, you miss out on those 600 runs.”
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Ajinkya Rahane’s excellent performances in the Indian Premier League and domestic cricket have earned him a place back in the national team.
While representing the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, Rahane has been given a fresh start and has scored 224 runs in six matches, with an impressive strike rate of 189.83.
Before the IPL, he focused on his performance in the Ranji Trophy and managed to score 634 runs in seven matches for Mumbai, which included two centuries.
These performances undoubtedly contributed to his selection for the Indian team, as they were impressed with his ability to perform consistently at a high level.
Furthermore, Shastri emphasized the importance of having experienced players like Rahane in a one-off big game, such as the upcoming Ultimate Test, likening it to the Super Bowl.
“Don’t forget that just two and a half years ago, Rahane led the team to victory in a Test series against Australia,” he reminded. “He did a sterling job as the captain when Virat [Kohli] went on paternity leave.”
“Additionally, people tend to forget the incredible hundred he scored at the MCG and the manner in which he played. Rahane has gone back to the grind, much like Pujara did, playing domestic and county cricket, amassing runs and improving his form before returning to the Test squad and performing admirably. It’s a similar scenario with Rahane, and we hope that his experience and form come in handy in the Ultimate Test.”
India will be relying on Ajinkya Rahane to make a significant impact upon his return to the team, as he is expected to be included in the XI for the World Test Championship Final.
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After falling short against New Zealand in 2021, Rohit Sharma and the team will be eager to put an end to India’s drought of senior men’s ICC trophies by defeating Australia at the Oval.
The team is counting on Rahane’s experience and form to contribute to a strong performance in this crucial match.
Rwanda Women vs Botswana Women, 2nd Match (T20) ▾
Rwanda Women vs Botswana Women, 2nd Match (T20)
10 June 2023
Gahanga International Cricket Stadium, Kigali City
Rwanda Women | ||
Botswana Women Inning 0/0 (0) Rwanda Women Inning 0/0 (0) |
Match not started
Botswana vs Rwanda, 3rd Match (T20) ▾
Botswana vs Rwanda, 3rd Match (T20)
10 June 2023
Gymkhana Club Ground, Nairobi
Rwanda | ||
Botswana Inning 1 123/15 (15) Rwanda Inning 0/0 (0) |
Botswana opt to bat
Botswana vs Uganda, 2nd Match (T20) ▾
Botswana vs Uganda, 2nd Match (T20)
09 June 2023
Gymkhana Club Ground, Nairobi
Uganda | ||
Botswana Inning 1 114/19.5 (19.5) Uganda Inning 1 115/13 (13) |
Uganda won by 6 wkts
Kenya vs Rwanda, 1st Match (T20) ▾
Kenya vs Rwanda, 1st Match (T20)
09 June 2023
Gymkhana Club Ground, Nairobi
Rwanda | ||
Rwanda Inning 1 137/20 (20) Kenya Inning 1 139/18.3 (18.3) |
Kenya won by 3 wkts
Sussex vs Surrey, South Group (T20) ▾
Sussex vs Surrey, South Group (T20)
09 June 2023
County Ground, Hove
Sussex | ||
Surrey Inning 1 258/20 (20) Sussex Inning 1 134/14.5 (14.5) |
Surrey won by 124 runs
Yorkshire vs Worcestershire, North Group (T20) ▾
Yorkshire vs Worcestershire, North Group (T20)
09 June 2023
Headingley, Leeds
Yorkshire | ||
Yorkshire Inning 1 224/20 (20) Worcestershire Inning 1 198/20 (20) |
Yorkshire won by 26 runs
Derbyshire vs Nottinghamshire, North Group (T20) ▾
Derbyshire vs Nottinghamshire, North Group (T20)
09 June 2023
County Ground, Derby
Nottinghamshire | ||
Derbyshire Inning 1 142/20 (20) Nottinghamshire Inning 1 143/18.4 (18.4) |
Nottinghamshire won by 3 wkts
Glamorgan vs Essex, South Group (T20) ▾
Glamorgan vs Essex, South Group (T20)
09 June 2023
Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
Glamorgan | ||
Essex Inning 1 226/20 (20) Glamorgan Inning 1 175/18.3 (18.3) |
Essex won by 51 runs
Gloucestershire vs Somerset, South Group (T20) ▾
Gloucestershire vs Somerset, South Group (T20)
09 June 2023
County Ground, Bristol
Somerset | ||
Somerset Inning 1 231/20 (20) Gloucestershire Inning 1 151/19 (19) |
Somerset won by 80 runs
Warwickshire vs Northamptonshire, North Group (T20) ▾
Warwickshire vs Northamptonshire, North Group (T20)
09 June 2023
Edgbaston, Birmingham
Warwickshire | ||
Warwickshire Inning 1 137/18.5 (18.5) Northamptonshire Inning 1 107/20 (20) |
Warwickshire won by 30 runs
Leicestershire vs Durham, North Group (T20) ▾
Leicestershire vs Durham, North Group (T20)
09 June 2023
Grace Road, Leicester
Leicestershire | ||
Durham Inning 1 172/20 (20) Leicestershire Inning 1 174/17.4 (17.4) |
Leicestershire won by 6 wkts
Kent vs Hampshire, South Group (T20) ▾
Kent vs Hampshire, South Group (T20)
09 June 2023
St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury
Kent | ||
Hampshire Inning 1 177/20 (20) Kent Inning 1 180/19.3 (19.3) |
Kent won by 6 wkts
Namibia vs Karnataka, 4th Match (ODI) ▾
Namibia vs Karnataka, 4th Match (ODI)
09 June 2023
Wanderers Cricket Ground, Windhoek
Namibia | ||
Namibia Inning 1 253/50 (50) Karnataka Inning 1 256/47.1 (47.1) |
Karnataka won by 5 wkts
United Arab Emirates vs West Indies, 3rd ODI (ODI) ▾
United Arab Emirates vs West Indies, 3rd ODI (ODI)
09 June 2023
Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah
West Indies | ||
United Arab Emirates Inning 1 184/36.1 (36.1) West Indies Inning 1 185/35.1 (35.1) |
West Indies won by 4 wkts
Ireland vs Bangladesh, 1st ODI (ODI) ▾
Ireland vs Bangladesh, 1st ODI (ODI)
09 May 2023
County Ground, Chelmsford
Ireland | ||
Bangladesh Inning 1 246/50 (50) Ireland Inning 1 65/16.3 (16.3) |
No result (due to rain)
Australia vs India, Final (TEST) ▾
Australia vs India, Final (TEST)
07 June 2023
Kennington Oval, London
India | ||
Australia Inning 1 469/121.3 (121.3) India Inning 1 296/69.4 (69.4) |
Day 3: Stumps - Australia lead by 296 runs