With 85 Test matches and 5077 runs under his belt, Ajinkya Rahane has had an incredible cricket career, helping India to historic victories and making huge contributions with the bat. Despite being 35 years old, Rahane remains passionate to the game, as evidenced by his active participation in domestic cricket for Mumbai.
Rahane guided Mumbai to a commanding 10-wicket win against Andhra in a recent Ranji Trophy match, demonstrating his lifelong love of the game. Reflecting on his journey, he underlined his desire to take each game for Mumbai one at a time, with the goal of not only winning the Ranji Trophy but also reaching the milestone of playing 100 Test matches.
Rahane’s persistence was demonstrated when he was called up to the Indian Test team for the WTC final against Australia following a good Ranji season. His commitment to cricket is unshakeable, and he eagerly anticipates contributing to the team’s success once more.
While Rahane continues to shine, the spotlight is slowly shifting to the next generation of batters who will eventually succeed him and Cheteshwar Pujara. However, recent Tests in South Africa proved that Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Shreyas Iyer struggled to fill the shoes of these middle-order veterans who excelled in difficult international conditions.
When asked about the key to succeeding at the highest level, Rahane emphasised the significance of mindset. He explained that a player’s game does not alter suddenly; rather, it is about the mindset at critical moments. Preparation, process, and mental power are critical at the international level. Rahane emphasised the need of managing pace, overcoming failure, and keeping a good attitude.
According to Rahane, good batting demands courage. He defines courage as intently playing one’s game, taking calculated risks, and prioritising the team. Rahane advises athletes to avoid being overly focused on their personal performance, as this might lead to a defensive posture. Instead, he promotes a fearless mindset in which players play their natural game without fear of failure.
