Follow UsAjinkya Rahane knows what he wants. The 35-year-old doesn’t only want to secure another Ranji title for Mumbai but also wants to feature in 100 Tests for India. The middle-order batter, who has played 85 Tests, has fallen out of favour and hasn’t played for India since August 2023.
"My goal is to secure both the Ranji Trophy and the bigger objective of playing in 100 Test matches. I'm focused on performing well for Mumbai and taking each game one step at a time,” said Rahane after Mumbai won their second game of the ongoing Ranji Trophy.
Having missed the opening game against Bihar, Rahane made his return against Andhra but was dismissed for a golden duck. That didn’t really affect Mumbai, as they won the game by 10 wickets. Rahane managed his bowling resources superbly after enforcing the follow-on.
Mumbai scored 395 in the first innings and then dismissed Andhra for 184, thanks to Shams Mulani’s six-wicket haul. Mumbai got a lead of 211 and Rahane asked Andhra to bat once again. Ricky Bhui and his men could only set a target of 34, which Mumbai hunted down without losing a wicket.
“The decision was Instinctive as such opportunities are very rare. If you read the situation and sniff the opportunity for seven points...it will be helpful for you in future as you don't know how the wicket will be, the conditions will be, teams form in the upcoming matches...you never know what will happen.
“So yesterday, I felt like if the bowlers will push themselves a bit and if we take two-three early wickets then it will become easier for us."
Mumbai have won both their games but Rahane wants his team to stay consistent. "It's been a very good start for us this season. The challenge is to be consistent because when you want to win the Ranji Trophy, it is all about being consistent throughout the period of time.
“We are looking to take one game at a time. It's a home-away format, so the conditions keep changing, so we have to be in the moment, try and see how the wickets are.”
Mumbai are next scheduled to take on Kerala in Thiruvananthapuram from January 19.