He may not have played a Test since January 2022, but middle-order batter Ajinkya Rahane isn't ruling out a comeback to the Indian Test side for the ICC World Test Championship final. He, however, maintained that there was "still a long way to go for it".<\/p>\r\n\r\n
A stunning 19-ball half-century in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 on Saturday night against Mumbai Indians in his first game for Chennai Super Kings has put Rahane back in frame for a Test recall ahead of the WTC final in England in June.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rahane, who was dropped from the Test squad, and subsequently from BCCI's annual contracts, last played a Test in January 2022 in South Africa.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The middle-order batter, who played the final of the last WTC cycle, averages just 20.25 in his last 15 Test matches with no hundreds and just three fifties.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rahane's place in the Test team was taken by fellow-Mumbai batter Shreyas Iyer, who is doubtful for the WTC final in June after being ruled out of IPL 2023 with a back injury.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 34-year-old Rahane, meanwhile, made merry at the Wankhede with a 27-ball 61 from No.3 but maintained that he was taking it one game at a time.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Still, a long way to go [WTC final]," Rahane said at the post-match press conference after the IPL game.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Today, I was not sure about my place in the eleven, (and) got to know just before the toss. For me, it is about playing one game at a time and staying in the moment."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Anything can happen. I will never give up. For me it is about playing with enjoyment and passion," he added. <\/p>\r\n\r\n