India star batsman Ajinkya Rahane, also a senior member of the Indian team has not been included in shorter format matches and has been ignored for some time now. Last time Rahane played for India was in February 2018 against South Africa.
The Indian World Cup squad is pretty much decided but still the top-order batsman is very much hopeful, keeping the negative thoughts away as playing in the mega event is a dream every player cherishes.
The Indian Test-vice captain said he is certainly disappointed that he was not picked for the ongoing Australia limited-overs series, as this is the last international series that India will play before the World Cup in May.
“I am very much hopeful. Like I said, I keep negative thoughts away and you never know, things can change any time,” Rahane told The Hindu.
“Playing the World Cup is a dream every cricketer cherishes. I do respect the selectors and team management’s performances and I think I deserve a chance.”
The 30-year-old said he deserves chances more consistently as after getting dropped he performed reasonably well domestic cricket. However, speaking about his selection, he believes that the selectors are the best judges.
“I also believe that my performances were really good. If you see the last three-four series, my average was around 45 to 50. After I was dropped, I went back to domestic cricket and feel I have done reasonably well. The point is that if as a player I have always played for the team, then I deserve chances more consistently. That’s the least I am asking," Rahane added.
“If I feel let down, my mindset will turn negative and so, I don’t really think that way. I leave that decision to the selectors because they are the best judges.