WTC Final: Former India cricketer takes dig at BCCI for Ajinkya Rahane’s return to Team India

Veteran batsman Ajinkya Rahane has made a comeback to the Indian team for the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2023. The team selection has become the major talking point among cricket experts and fans.

The 34-year-old right-handed batsman had been away from the Indian Test squad since February last year. As per the selectors, Rahane made his way back into the team on the back of strong performances in domestic cricket. Moreover, an injury to Shreyas Iyer forced BCCI to bring back the veteran batter for the all-important WTC Final against formidable Australia.

However, former India spinner Murali Kartik has questioned BCCI on the criteria for bringing back the veteran batsman to the team. Kartik also wondered why the same set of rules didn’t apply for batsmen like Hanuma Vihari who has also been out of Team India since last year. The former spinner expressed his concerns over players not being selected on similar yardsticks.

“It’s difficult. We have to ask chief selector SS Das and co about the weightages for selection. When you dropped Rahane, you said that he hadn’t scored for the past 20-30 innings. However, the good thing is, every player can come back. Doors are not closed on anyone. Earlier, when you were out, it was impossible to make a comeback. But I want to know, why was not the same weightage given to Hanuma?” asked Kartik.

“Hanuma has done what selectors wanted. Yes, Rahane’s record is good. I am a fan of the way he carries himself. But if this is the yardstick to select a player, Hanuma has not done anything wrong. He had been good when he was dropped. Why wasn’t he seen with the same lens?” the former spinner further asked.