Would love to be back in the Indian set-up again: Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane says he has been adapting to situations in T20 cricket.
| Photo Credit: EMMANUAL YOGINI

A month away from his 37^th birthday, Ajinkya Rahane still has the fire in his belly to play for India again.

Rahane, a former Test captain who led the country to an unbelievable series win against Australia five years ago, last donned India colours in a Test in 2023, in an ODI in 2018 and in a T20I in 2016.

Currently leading Indian Premier League defending champion Kolkata Knight Riders, Rahane, the franchise’s highest run-getter this season, said, “I would love to be back in the Indian set-up again. The desire, the hunger, the fire is still there. Fitness-wise, I’m right up there…I’m a guy who will never give up.”

During a Star Sports Press Room interaction on Friday, Rahane said, “Every day when I wake up, it’s about wanting to represent my country.

“During the off-season, I train for two-three sessions a day. Skill-wise, I’ve been practising for so many years. The fitness factor is the key, I’m working hard on that, focusing on my diet. I don’t talk much about it.”

Despite being an attacking player, Rahane said he had been adapting to situations in T20s. “You’ve seen me playing with different strike-rates in the last two-three years. Even I started here with a very good strike-rate. Then I had to adapt to the situation because our batsmen were struggling to get runs.”

Even as KKR had a topsy-turvy ride this season, Rahane said his side should focus on winning its remaining four matches and enter the play-offs.

About KKR’s two upcoming home matches, Rahane rated Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings, which are already out of the play-offs race, as ‘dangerous’ teams with nothing to lose.

Rahane said his hand injury was okay and hoped to play against RR on Sunday.