Xtra Time Web Desk: Did Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni have a hand in Ajinkya Rahane’s inclusion in the Indian squad for the World Test Championship 2023 final squad. According to reports, Dhoni’s inputs to the Indian team management paved the way for Rahane’s test recall.
Rahane’s domestic form has been the main reason for his test recall. With the injury to Shreyas Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav failing to grab the opportunity, the selectors decided to go for Rahane’s experience. A telephonic conversation between Rahul Dravid and Dhoni may have paved the way for Rahane being selected in the Indian test squad.
“We realise the potential of someone when we allow him to bat the way he bats. We give him freedom, give him the best position. In a team environment, someone has to sacrifice his slot to allow the others to get more comfortable, and allow the team to succeed,” MS Dhoni said about Rahane.
Since being snubbed from the Test team after a string of poor shows, Rahane worked on his game in the domestic circuit. Rahane scored 634 runs in 11 innings at an average of 57.64 including two centuries and a fifty. The Mumbaikar also had a decent outing for CSK in the ongoing IPL season. In 5 matches so far, Rahane has scored 209 runs at an average of 53.25.