"I Don't Have PR Team": Ajinkya Rahane Exposes BCCI Selectors, Shares Test Exit Story

Ajinkya Rahane Speaks Out: No PR Team, No Communication from Selectors Over His Test Exit

Ajinkya Rahane, once one of India’s most dependable Test players, has opened up about his painful exclusion from the national squad after the 2023 World Test Championship final. Rahane, who has consistently been a strong performer for India in challenging overseas conditions, expressed his frustration over the lack of communication from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selectors and management regarding his exit from the team.

In a candid interview with Indian Express, Rahane shared that despite his strong performances in domestic cricket and the IPL, there was no clear explanation for his exclusion. He was particularly disheartened after being dropped following the WTC final, despite having worked hard for his place. "Whenever an experienced player makes a comeback, they expect a fair chance, at least 2-3 series. I thought I would be picked, but I wasn't, and there was no communication," Rahane revealed. He also mentioned how he had been advised by others to approach the selectors for clarification, but he refrained from doing so as he felt the "other person" wasn’t open to conversation.

Rahane’s frustration highlights the lack of transparency within the current selection system, with no clear line of communication from the BCCI on his status. "I'm not the person who will go and ask why I'm being dropped," Rahane added. "There is no point in fighting if the other person isn't ready to talk."

Despite these challenges, Rahane remains focused on his cricket and has made a strong return to form, scoring a century in his 200th first-class match during the ongoing Ranji Trophy campaign. However, Rahane also discussed how the lack of a PR team has affected his career. Unlike some of his counterparts, Rahane doesn’t have a PR team pushing his case, and he admitted that he now understands the importance of staying in the media spotlight. "I have realized that staying in the news is important. Otherwise, people think I'm out of the circle," he said.

Rahane’s story sheds light on the often-overlooked human aspect of cricketing careers, where communication and transparency can make all the difference in a player's journey.