‘Domestic me to sab acha hi khelte hain’ – Fans troll Ravi Shastri as he insists Ajinkya Rahane’s Test selection is based on domestic record and not IPL 2023

Former Indian Cricket team coach Ravi Shastri backs the Indian Cricket Board’s decision to include Ajinkya Rahane in the Indian Test squad for the upcoming Test Championship final against Australia. Shastri slammed the trolls who were assuming that Rahane has been selected on the basis of his performance in the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League for Chennai Super Kings.

Shastri said that Rahane’s performance in first-class cricket and Ranji Trophy were the main reason for his inclusion in the Test squad. Rahane last played for Indian in Janaury 2022, after that, he was removed from the Test squad due to his poor form. However, the 34-year-old had a great outing in the 2022-23 Ranji season where he amassed 634 runs in 11 innings at an average of 57.64, including two centuries.

‘When you go six months into a holiday, you miss those 600 runs’ – Shastri

“I’m so glad he’s made it to the side. He batted beautifully in these two-three games he’s played in the IPL, has looked in great touch. And let’s not forget the experience he has. The moment Shreyas Iyer was injured, you had to look in that direction,” Shastri told ESPNcricinfo on the Ravi & Raunak Show.

“People think he’s just played three IPL games and that’s why he’s in the side. They must have been on holiday for six months when he was playing first-class cricket. They must’ve been somewhere in the jungle where there’s no contact with anyone in the world. When you go six months into a holiday, you miss those 600 runs,” he further added.

Rahane was picked by CSK in the 2023 auction at his base price of INR 50 lakh. He missed the first two games against Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants. But when he got the chance against Mumbai Indians, he smashed the fastest half-century in the ongoing season. Rahane scored 61 runs off just 27 balls to announce his arrival in IPL 2023.

Since then, he has shown a great form as he went on to smash Kolkata Knight Riders for an unbeaten 71 runs off just 29 balls. He has amassed 224 in six matches player so far at an average of 44.80 and an impressive strike rate of 189.83.

Both India and Australia will take on each other for the Test Championship final that is scheduled to take place from June 7th to 11th at the Oval. The runners-up of the previous edition India will be looking to get their hands on the Test mace after defeating the number one Test team in the world.

India squad for the final:
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, K L Rahul, KS Bharat (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat.

Finally someone said it https://t.co/A5pXzWFAIo

— Johns (@JohnyBravo183) April 29, 2023

You are right Ravi. People have not seen his Ranji trophy performance. And his selection is due to his experience, Ranji trophy performance and an energetic IPL performance. Surely the right choice for WTC.

— M D Kumar (@MDKumar67066701) April 29, 2023

Rahane scored one 50 in 8 innings against TN, Saurashtra, Maharashtra & Delhi. A 214 & 191 against Hyderabad & Assam bowling lineups, that's how he averaged 58 in Ranjis even though he averaged below 30 against 4 good teams. So, it's really Mr. #Ravi_Shastri who was on a holiday

— Sri (@sri_opines) April 29, 2023

Then how sky got chance in test setup @RaviShastriOfc

Where sarfaraz,panjal & many domestic inform players r still waiting for their debut

Then y rahane didn't selected for bgt, inform player scored 600 runs then y they didn't select him ?

— Dr.Sanakyan ⚕️ (@NGS_tweets) April 29, 2023

https://twitter.com/Notafootyfan/status/1652168623807660033

The truth is, there is no other choice than Rahane for this time.. It's just a coincidence he's going through his peak Phase in ipl

— K. G. R (@ThisIsGautam_) April 29, 2023

https://twitter.com/hippocrite_____/status/1652160713648115712

Domestic me Shaw bhi 5 game me 5 century mar rha he kisiko bhi utha k dekhlo international player sab domestic me acha hi khel rhe he

— Hitesh Rathod (@HiteshR40850533) April 29, 2023