Follow UsFor Ajinkya Rahane, every day is a new challenge and the desire, hunger and fire to play for India again keeps burning in his belly. The last time Rahane played for India was in 2023 in Tests, and although he is the current captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2025, he still wants to play for India.
“I would love to be back in the Indian set-up again. The desire, the hunger, the fire is still there. Fitness-wise, I am right up there. I just want to take one game at a time, thinking about this IPL right now, and then, let’s see what happens in the future,” Rahane was quoted as saying during the Star Sports Press Room.
Having led a very young and inexperienced Indian team to a comeback series win, one of the most memorable ones against Australia in 2020-21, Rahane has already etched his name in the cricketing echelons.
However, after all those highs, Rahane has faced lows as well, getting out of the Indian set-up and not being able to play impressive knocks in the domestic set-up either. So how does he keep himself motivated?
“I am a guy who will never give up. (I) always try and give my best on the field; give more than 100 per cent. It’s always about that, focusing on controllable things. I have been playing domestic cricket as well, and I am really enjoying my cricket at this moment,” he said.
“Every day when I wake up, it’s always about what goals I want to achieve. For me, there is nothing higher than representing your country. I want to represent my country. I want to wear those Indian colours again. During the off-season, I train for two-three sessions a day. I feel at this moment, for me, keeping myself really fit is really important, recovery is really important,” added the 36-year-old.