WATCH: Ajinkya Rahane grinds hard on nets aiming for return in Indian team

Ajinkya Rahane posted a video on X where he was seen practising in the nets. The experienced batter was grinding hard in the nets ahead of a big 2024 season. It was interesting to see that Rahane posted a video practising against a red ball. It points out a potential practice session carried out by the veteran to make a return to the Indian Test side in the upcoming days.

Watch the video of Ajinkya Rahane’s net session here:

India will be facing England in 2024 in late January and February. While the visiting side already announced its squad for the series against India, the home side is yet to do the same. It provides Rahane some time to prepare himself to be ready for the home series against England. Rahane might be needed for the Indian team in case some batters opt-out or get injured.

The Test series between India and England will be more than a month and England have got many young players. It is to be seen if India opts for a young squad or backs the experienced batters for the series. Irrespective of everything, this might be the last phase of Rahane in international cricket, and he might have to say something about it.

Timing of the video

Rahane posted the video just a day after India lost the Centurion Test against South Africa. In the Boxing Day Test, India lost by an innings and 32 runs. The performance of the visiting side was awful, to say the least, and the home side was happy to take advantage in the series. The second Test will be played at Cape Town, which will be the farewell match of Dean Elgar.

The timing of the video from Rahane speculates on something else. Given the failure of the batters in the series, it seemed as if Rahane took an indirect dig at the selectors who did not pick him in the Test squad for the tour of SA. Rahane last played a Test match for India against Australia in the WTC final 2023, where he played a good knock in the first innings.