Indian middle-order batsman Ajinkya Rahane has not played a Test match since January 2022, but he has not given up on the possibility of making a comeback for the Indian team in the upcoming ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final. Rahane's performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 has put him back in contention for the Test recall, especially after he scored a stunning half-century in just 19 balls during his first game for Chennai Super Kings on Saturday.
Rahane was dropped from the Test squad after his lacklustre performance and has been out of BCCI's annual contracts since then. He last played in the final of the last WTC cycle and currently averages only 20.25 in his last 15 Test matches, with no hundreds and just three fifties. However, with fellow-Mumbai batter Shreyas Iyer doubtful for the WTC final due to a back injury, Rahane may have a chance to prove himself once again.
Despite his impressive performance in the IPL, Rahane remained cautious about his chances of making it to the Indian Test team for the WTC final. He said, "Still, a long way to go [WTC final]. Today, I was not sure about my place in the eleven, (and) got to know just before the toss. For me, it is about playing one game at a time and staying in the moment."
India will face Australia in the final of the ICC World Test Championship at The Oval in early June, and Rahane will be hoping to make a comeback to the Indian Test side for the crucial game. However, he knows that he still has a lot of work to do before he can make it back into the team. "Anything can happen. I will never give up. For me, it is about playing with enjoyment and passion," he added.