Ex-India Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane making a statement with the bat in Ranji Trophy

Former India Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane made notable revelations about rediscovering himself in the Indian domestic circuit. Having last represented India in January 2022, it has been a year since the 34-year-old is looking for a way back into the Indian Test squad. He is currently captaining his domestic side Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy 2022-23 and is also impressing everyone with his performance. 

As Mumbai face Delhi in their sixth game of the ongoing season, Rahane is the second-highest run-scorer for Mumbai after youngster Prithvi Shaw. While Shaw leads the scoring charts with a total of 579 runs in nine innings, Rahane has 534 runs to his tally in eight innings. Interestingly, Shaw has an average of 64.33 and Rahane has averaged 66.75 so far.

"I am trying to be the Ajinkya what I used to be in my initial days"

During a conversation with PTI on the eve of the Delhi vs Mumbai, Ranji Trophy match, Rahane revealed he has gone back to the drawing board to rediscover himself. “I was thinking about old times and when I first came into Ranji team (back in 2007). How I used to play, what was my thought process. I have gone back to the drawing board and I am trying to be the Ajinkya what I used to be in my initial days”.

Further explaining what has changed since the South Africa tour of 2021-22, the former India vice-captain said he has primarily worked on his technique. "Small changes obviously. You have to evolve continuously as a player and continue to work and improve upon your strategies. No major changes but small changes skill wise, now I have to be in the moment thinking for Mumbai and doing well for them. That's on my mind completely."

Ajinkya Rahane and Prithvi Shaw's 400+ runs partnership for Mumbai

He recently made headlines for a 400+ runs partnership with Shaw against Assam, where the youngster smashed 379 runs. Ajinkya scored 191 runs off 302 in the first innings as Mumbai amassed a total of 687/4 before declaring. Assam were bowled out on 370 runs in the first innings and were restricted to 189 runs in the second innings as Mumbai claimed victory by an innings and 128 runs.