Ajinkya Rahane, who averages 35.26 in ODI cricket despite batting at various positions, has been out of India’s limited-overs set-up for more than two years now.
Given that Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan are doing well as openers in the 50-over format, things look rather bleak for Rahane at the top. With Shreyas Iyer solving India's long-persisting No. 4 conundrum, he looks unlikely to make a comeback in the middle-order as well.
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However, the Mumbai batsman being an eternal optimist hasn’t lost hope of his ODI comeback yet.
"I am ready to bat at any position in ODI cricket, whether opening or No. 4 or whatever, I am ready. My instinct answers yes, I want to make a comeback in ODI cricket," Rahane told former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta on an ESPNcricinfo chat show.
"But when the opportunity will come, we don't know. Mentally I am preparing to play all the formats. It is all about being positive yourself and about your abilities."
Rahane started his ODI career as an opener before he was asked to bat at No. 4. While his overall record at No. 4 doesn't give as impressive a reading - 843 runs at an average of 36.65, strike-rate of 83.71 in 25 innings - he improved on those numbers after the 2015 World Cup, scoring 420 runs at an average of 46.66, strike-rate of 92.71 in 11 ODI innings.
"I have enjoyed opening the innings, but I don't mind batting at number 4 if I am asked to. I have enjoyed both roles," the 32-year-old said when asked which position he would prefer in ODI cricket.
"It is very hard to suddenly open the innings and adjust to it after you have been batting at No. 4 for a while, which I had done. It is hard to say which position I prefer. I can do well in both," he further remarked.
Rahane, who has featured in 90 ODIs, hasn’t played T20I cricket for nearly four years.
Asked about his approach in T20 cricket, the right-hander said, "I don't try and copy anyone in T20 cricket. My cricketing shots are inside out, behind the bowler, and other shots I have developed.
"I think if you are sure of your shots, you should back them. If I am playing 18 overs, I aim to see how I can get my strike rate to 150-160."
He also shared an important advice he got from the great Rahul Dravid when it comes to batting in the shortest format.
"Sometimes the shots you play in T20s don't look good. But Rahul bhai told me not to bother about what the shots look like, whether it's bad or looks bad from outside. He said it does not matter. He said in T20 cricket, one needs to watch the ball and hit it," Rahane said.
