By Shamik Chakrabarty in Mumbai
After scoring a sublime hundred — 159 in the ongoing Ranji Trophy match against Chhattisgarh — where he let his bat do the talking, Ajinkya Rahane went full throttle, as he spoke to a select group of reporters at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) on Sunday. The former India and Mumbai captain didn’t name anyone. But there should be no prizes for guessing who were at the receiving end of his verbal volleys. Excerpts:
On his century against Chhattisgarh
I have played many good innings. Even in the quarter-finals against Haryana (last season), I got a hundred. Every hundred, as I said, is special. For me, this one was something more special.
From a personal point of view, I have been working really hard, preparing for the season. When the IPL got over, I started my training and fitness from June 20 onwards. At this moment, for me, being fit and focusing on my fitness matters a lot.
Skill-wise, I have been practising for years. It was always about mental toughness. It was hot, it was really humid. Especially coming from Srinagar, where the temperature was low. Here, (it’s) 34-35 degrees (Celsius). It felt like 38-40 (degrees). So, that was a challenge. But yeah, I am really happy with the way I batted.
On his cricket
For me, I know how good a player I am. I don’t like to focus on what’s going on outside. There are many unwanted people.
When they don’t know about the game, they talk about a player who has been playing consistently with a good attitude, good intensity… I always want to do well for Mumbai.
From a player’s point of view, I want Mumbai’s players to go and play at the highest level. When some people talk about that (negative vibes), when they don’t know the game… They don’t know what it takes (to be here). As an international cricketer who has played for so many years, I think something clicked for me (here).
I don’t want to name anyone. My family, their support has been massive. My kids, my family, they have always been with me. They said, ‘Daddy, you can do it. You still have it in you’. When your family supports you, nothing else matters. As I said, something clicked for me.
I was determined to do well for Mumbai. It’s always a special feeling when you contribute to Mumbai’s success, because Mumbai has given me everything.
On players seemingly been judged by their age in the current (Indian team) set-up
I don’t believe in that. Age is just a number. As a player, if you have the experience, if you are still playing domestic cricket, if you are still giving your best — I think the selectors should consider.
It’s not about the age, it’s about the intent. It’s about the passion for the red ball. And it’s about the hard work which you put in the middle. That’s what matters to me. So I don’t believe in that (age).
Personally, as I said, in Australia you see… Michael Hussey made his debut in his late 30s. Still he made runs. Experience matters in red-ball cricket. And personally I thought the Indian team needed me in Australia. That’s my personal feeling. I have been working hard.
You always see selectors talk about playing domestic cricket. I have been playing domestic cricket for the last four-five seasons. Sometimes it’s not about the runs. It’s about the intent. It’s about the experience. When you play in Australia, when you play in England and in South Africa, it’s about the experience.
If someone is really passionate about playing red-ball cricket, I think the selectors should look into it. Because they come and watch the game. Every time it’s not about the performance. It’s about the intent and the passion. How you play with the red ball.
On he being dropped after the 2023 WTC final
What I saw was, I made my comeback in the 2023 WTC final. Before that I played two years of domestic cricket, and I did really well. I did well in the IPL and got into the WTC final, where I made my comeback. And after playing so much cricket, so many matches for the Indian team, experienced players like me, when I got dropped, I got a sense (that) experienced players like me should get more chances when you make a comeback. And there was no communication.
On the performances of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in Sydney
It was amazing to see. It proves that age is just a number, (and) that’s what I said. Experience matters a lot at the highest level. When you have guys like Rohit and Virat, who have won so many matches for India, especially in white-ball cricket, you need that experience in the team.
You cannot go (with) all the newcomers, all the new players. Young blood is important, but I feel (if) you have experience (also), the team will do well. Especially in red-ball cricket. I was really happy to see Rohit getting that hundred.
On Sarfaraz Khan’s India A snub
The only thing I can tell him is that, don’t get distracted, don’t get frustrated. It’s very easy to say, but it’s very hard to do — if you can just focus on playing cricket and keep scoring runs. He has been doing that. But as a player, when you go through this phase, it’s really challenging. It’s really tough.
Mumbai cricket is supporting him. I am sure his family is there to support him.
We know how good he is as a batsman. Scored so many runs in domestic cricket. It’s about time. Keep your head down and just focus on the controllable things.
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