(Cricket news) Ajinkya Rahane, the veteran Indian batsman eyes an India recall with aspirations of reaching 100 tests for the country and lifting another Ranji title for Mumbai. He has been a stalwart in international cricket for nearly 13 years, featuring in 85 Tests for India. Despite falling out of consideration for the national side, the middle-order batsman, who took India to a historic series win Down Under in 2021, remains firm in his pursuit of a comeback.

Being left out of the side Rahane was able to make a return the Indian side last year. Following an impressive IPL season with Chennai Super Kings last year, Rahane earned a place in the Indian squad for World test championship finals, where he narrowly missed both a century and a half-century across both the innings against Australia. Rahane then managed to play two more tests in the Caribbean last year before he was left out from the squad once again.

Rahane is mentally tough character and has still not given hope. He aims to make a return to the Indian team, which happens to be in his priority list. Despite having a bad start to the season, registering a duck in the first game, Rahane’s brilliant leadership led Mumbai to their second outright win which came against Andhra at BKC in Mumbai.

“My goal is to secure both the Ranji Trophy and the bigger objective of playing in 100 Test matches,” Rahane shared with reporters after the conclusion of Mumbai’s second-round Ranji game at BKC stadium in Mumbai on Monday. “I’m focused on performing well for Mumbai and taking each game one step at a time.” His ambition is to clinch the 42nd Ranji title for the cricketing powerhouse.

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