Rahane announced his retirement from all forms of cricket last week.
Former India batter Ajinkya Rahane recalled one of the toughest phases of his career and how frustrated he was after warming the bench for two years.
While Rahane’s white-ball debut came in 2011, he had to wait for two more years before making his maiden Test appearance. Despite being part of the squad, he spent that period carrying drinks as the 12th man.
Rahane admitted the constant travel without getting a chance to play in the starting XI caused deep frustration and tested his patience. However, he learned to accept the challenge over time, stay strong mentally, and wait for his opportunity before finally debuting in a Test match against Australia in 2013.
"The first two years, when I entered the team for the first time in 2011. I had to wait 20 games for my Test debut, and I was there as a 12th man for two years. That was a challenging phase, but I learnt a lot from it. I had two choices: either to gain sympathy or try to improve myself. There is nothing bad about being a 12th man or serving water or helping your teammates. I took it positively. I would look at everything, and because of that, I could play for a long time. Observing helped my attitude and mindset. It would be easy to gain sympathy, but I never expected that," Rahane said on his YouTube channel.
Rahane shared that patience helped his cricket career, shaped by traveling in Mumbai local trains, playing domestic matches, and learning from senior players who taught him to focus only on what he can control.
"It was there from before, but it also developed as I kept playing and gained experience. I will not say I had so much patience right from the start. When you travel in a local train in Mumbai, it is challenging. So somewhere, patience develops right from there. When I started domestic cricket and kept scoring consistently, you unknowingly think that your name should come for India. And even I thought the same. But after talking to some senior players and over time, I realised it will happen when it has to happen. You do whatever is in your control. If you want to play for long, patience is important," he added.
Ajinkya Rahane announced his retirement from all form of cricket last week. He was a cornerstone of India’s middle-order when the team held the No.1 Test rankings from 2016 to 2021.
The 38-year-old represented India in 85 Tests, amassing 5,077 runs at an average of 38.46, including 12 centuries and 26 fifties. He featured in 90 ODIs, scoring 2,962 runs with 3 centuries and 24 half-centuries. He played 20 T20Is, scoring 375 runs.
Rahane also led India in 6 Tests, clinching 4 victories and 2 draws. His finest hour came when he took over a battered, injury-depleted Indian squad after the infamous "36 all-out" collapse in Adelaide. The elegant right-hander hit a masterful century at MCG to rally the team, eventually orchestrating an iconic 2-1 series victory in Australia.