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Ajinkya Rahane Explains Absence From Mumbai Playing XI for Ranji Trophy Match Against Bihar

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As the Indian cricket team struggled to put runs on the board on the tricky South African conditions, fans and some former cricketers recalled Ajinkya Rahane's heroics in the Rainbow Nation.

As Rahane's fans keep their hopes of seeing the veteran batter making a Test comeback alive, it was strange to see him not making Mumbai's playing XI for the Ranji Trophy match against Bihar.

The veteran batter, however, has now revealed that his absence was due to a small injury concern. "I have a great passion for playing, and that's why I came to Patna.

I never back down from playing. However, during a practice session, I suffered a minor injury in my neck. That's why I am not playing this match.

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Ahead of the first Test match between India and England at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on Wednesday, fans started to arrive at the stadium. While speaking to ANI before the game, a fan said that he would miss the former India skipper Virat Kohli. However, he is excited for the skipper, Rohit Sharma. "We really miss (Virat) Kohli because Telugu fans have a huge fan base for Kohli. We miss him playing in Hyderabad... But I am really excited to see Captain Rohit Sharma," a fan said.
India skipper Rohit Sharma on Wednesday hinted that the Test career of veterans Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane might not be revived as the focus has shifted to giving more opportunities to younger players. Once Virat Kohli decided to skip the first two matches against England, the possibility of including either Pujara or Rahane to the India Test squad was discussed widely but if one is aware about the thought process of current selection panel headed by Ajit Agarkar, they are not in a mood to look back.
Ajinkya Rahane, the man who captained the Indian team in the memorable Border-Gavaskar Test series triumph in Australia in 2020-21 season, finds himself in a sticky position where he seems to have been fazed out of the Indian team. Rahane, who is with the Mumbai squad in the ongoing Ranji Trophy campaign, understands his situation but has not given up on playing 100 Tests for India as he remains determined for a comeback. Rahane last played for India on the tour of West Indies in July 2023. The 35-year-old, who has featured in 85 Tests, is captaining Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy. "My goal is to secure both the Ranji Trophy and the bigger objective of playing in 100 Test matches," Rahane told reporters after Mumbai's second successive outright win in the competition.
Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra said on Saturday that doors to the Test team for veteran middle-order batters Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane are closed but with the former's Indian Premier League (IPL) career still alive, he will be relevant for a longer time as he plays in the league for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), captained by MS Dhoni. The Men's Selection Committee on Friday announced India's 16-member squad for the first two Tests against England. India are set to play a five-match Test series, the first of which will be held in Hyderabad on January 25.
Agni Chopra, son of filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra, has taken the Ranji Trophy by storm. On debut, Agni scored 166 for Mizoram in response to Sikkim's large total of 442 for 9. However, Mizoram were bowled out for 214 and had to follow on. The 25-year-old then smashed 92 following on to help Mizoram post 397 and setting Sikkim a target of 170. During his knocks, Agni smashed a combined 30 fours and eight sixes. Despite Agni's heroics, Mizoram lost the match by four wickets to Sikkim in Nadiad.

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