‘My one-day record is actually good’: Ousted India batsman eyes ODI comeback

He might have change into an indispensable a part of India’s Test set-up, however so far as limited-overs codecs are involved, some declare Ajinkya Rahane leaves lots to be desired. Rahane has scored 2962 ODI runs from 90 matches at a median of 35.26 of which 843 have come from batting at No. Four in 27 matches with a median of 36.65. His numbers as ODI opener are even higher with 1937 runs from 54 matches together with three centuries.

Yet, Rahane was dropped from India’s ODI setup after India’s sequence in opposition to South Africa in 2018. It’s been greater than two years however Rahane nonetheless continues to take a seat out of India’s ODI and T20I squads.

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“I think the first plan is to come back in ODI cricket. I don’t generally talk about my records but I think an important factor is my record is actually really good over the last 3-4 years before I was dropped,” Rahane advised India Today.

“Whether it’s opening the batting or at No. 4, my record was very good, my strike rate again was very good. I think my aim is to come back into the ODI set-up. I don’t when the opportunity will come but I have to work hard, I am working really hard on all the aspects. I am really confident about myself. It’s all about having the self-belief and being positive, being fearless.”

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In 2014, Rahane emerged as an amazing makeshift opener for India within the absence of an injured Rohit Sharma. He scored a few very important half-centuries within the Asia Cup that yr and a terrific century in opposition to England at Edgbaston.

Against Australia in 2017, Rahane scored 4 half-centuries in a row and adopted it with a 79 in opposition to South Africa within the first ODI of a six-match sequence, however he was proven the door solely three low scores later. Even when India have been desperately in want of a No. 4 batsman forward of the World Cup, Rahane was ignored.

“I don’t have to prove it to anyone. Yes, IPL is the best platform. I don’t have to prove to anyone, it’s all about playing with freedom and playing for my team and doing well for my team,” Rahane added.

“If I contribute to my team, I think other factors will happen automatically. That said, my records in ODI before I was dropped was very good. I am not thinking about proving to anyone. Working hard on my game and keeping improving day by day and being positive is what I am planning to do.”