Ajinkya Rahane, who last played a Test match for India in January 2022, made a comeback into the Indian team as BCCI announced the squad for the upcoming ICC WTC 2023 final against Australia in June.
Rahane was dropped from the team in January 2022 after the South Africa series due to poor form. However, the back injury to Shreyas Iyer, who recently underwent surgery, left the selectors with very little option.
Also, making Rahane’s return to Team India easy was the selectors’ lack of belief in Suryakumar Yadav who made his Test debut during the Border Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. SKY made eight runs in the only innings he played in the Nagpur Test.
The experienced Rahane will also provide much needed solidarity to the middle order as Rishabh Pant is also not available as he recovers from his injuries which he suffered in a car accident in December last year.
Rahane has been rewarded for his form in Ranji Trophy, where he scored 634 runs from seven matches, including a double-century against Hyderabad, and 191 against Assam. He has also done well for CSK in ongoing IPL 2023 as well, scoring at a brisk pace.
Ajinkya Rahane returns as BCCI announces India’s World Test Championship final squad
While the fans rejoiced his return to Indian team for the WTC final, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra had some questions for the selectors as they dropped Suryakumar Yadav after two Tests.
He posted: “Happy for Rahane. But how does the SKY inclusion-exclusion make sense?? Select kyon kiya…kar liya toh ek match ke baad drop kyon kiya?”
On the other hand, eminent commentator Harsha Bhogle called Rahane’s inclusion as a one-off selection, but lauded his return to the team.
He tweeted: “I had been thinking, and chatting to people, about India's squad for the WTC Final. And whichever way I looked at it, I was zeroing in on this team. That suggests there weren't too many choices. The only real talking point is the return of Rahane. Looks in good form, not slogging in T20, decent 1st class season, lots of experience. Looks like a one-off selection but hopefully it will be a powerful return.”
Meanwhile, fans had mixed reactions on Twitter after BCCI announced the India squad for WTC 2023 final featuring return of Ajinkya Rahane.
Check here:
