Rahane Stresses Importance Of Senior Players In Transition

Ajinkya Rahane, a former Indian batsman, has expressed concern about Team India’s recent Test cricket failures, underlining the importance of preserving expertise during times of transition.

The recently retired cricketer also underlined the need of developing players with the mentality and temperament required to succeed in the longest format.

Despite their dominance in white-ball cricket under head coach Gautam Gambhir, India has had a difficult run in Test cricket.

The Men in Blue have won two ICC white-ball titles in the last two years, but their red-ball successes have been mixed, with two home series whitewashes casting doubt on the team’s future.

Regarding India’s recent Test results, Ajinkya Rahane stated that it has been difficult to see the team struggle from the sidelines.

“Because I haven’t played Test cricket in the last two years, I’ve been sitting at home, watching the Indian team lose games in India as well. I believe Test cricket requires character.

You must develop such personalities and play competitive cricket. That’s what matters. The session is currently being played out. You don’t see many teams doing it.

I don’t want to pick a team, but you want to watch people go through those tough workouts,” remarked on the Stick to Cricket podcast.

Ajinkya Rahane also spoke about his friendship with Gambhir and what he believes to be the key to success in Test cricket.

“I’ve played with Gambhir. I was not with KKR while he was their coach. I never played for him while he was the coach. We played together both here in England and in India. But I believe Test cricket is always about playing sessions and getting through tough times.”

Ajinkya Rahane: Test cricket need 2-3 new players and 7-8 veteran players.

Ajinkya Rahane also underlined how rapidly India’s Test team changed after major players such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin left the squad.

The seasoned batter thinks that the current club lacks the experience required to guide younger players through challenging situations.

“Test cricket fans are true cricket fanatics. Aside from the last two years, when new players entered Test cricket, I believe the sport requires 7-8 older players and 2-3 younger players.

What we’re witnessing now is that every player is new. There are scarcely any senior cricketers remaining. “So, Test cricket requires that,” Rahane said.

The Mumbai batter went on to remark that if teams are unable to maintain the correct mix of youth and experience, he is concerned about the format’s future.

“Frankly, I do (fear of Test cricket). Because the way things are going, we all want Test cricket to survive, including India, England, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

Especially these four or five teams. Because, as I’ve seen over the last 2-3 years, you need to keep and respect the senior players, especially with the Indian team, when all of the senior players are leaving at the same time.

The forthcoming two-match Test series between India and Sri Lanka begins on August 15 at Galle.