Former BCCI chief selector MSK Prasad reacts to Ajinkya Rahane's selection in India's squad for the ICC WTC Final

Ajinkya Rahane last played a Test for India in 2022 on the tour of South Africa.

MSK Prasad, former BCCI selector, reacted to the Indian squad for the ICC WTC final and the comeback of Ajinkya Rahane in the Test squad for the match against Australia which will be played at the Oval in London from June 7-11, 2023.

After Shreyas Iyer suffered back surgery and was unable to play, Rahane, who has been out of the squad for more than a year, was called up for this important clash. Rahane has been playing exceptionally well for Chennai Super Kings during the current IPL season, which has helped him regain some momentum.

MSK Prasad opined that the inclusion of Ajinkya Rahane is the right call by the selectors as there is so much uncertainty in the Indian middle order.

“It’s a fair team, it’s the right call. Ajinkya with so much of uncertainty in the middle-order, I think they (selectors) were absolutely right. I am very, very happy for him. He has always been a wonderful performer for India in the away series. And I think he fits the bill perfectly. Full credit to the selectors for bringing him back,” Prasad told India Today.

Meanwhile, apart from Iyer, India will miss the services of Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah in the one-off Test match against Australia which will be played from June 7 to 11 at the Oval in London.

His attitude is like a monk’s: MSK Prasad on Ajinkya Rahane

Earlier, Rahane had also lost his central contract in the BCCI's central contracts list for the current cycle. However, he recovered well from injuries and ended as Mumbai's leading scorer in the Ranji Trophy, with 634 runs from seven matches, including a double-century against Hyderabad, and 191 against Assam.

Rahane has also done well for the Chennai Super Kings in the ongoing IPL 2023.

During Prasad’s tenure as BCCI chief selector, Rahane was Virat Kohli’s deputy in the Test team. He praised Rahane’s record on foreign soil and also talked about his calm demeanor.

“Basically, his attitude is like a monk’s. He is never disturbed when he is not selected. He is not over-excited when he is selected. He is that kind of a guy. His mood doesn’t swing up and down, just like that. He is a very mature person,” Prasad said.

Rahane last played for India last year on the South Africa tour and lost his place in the Test squad due to poor form.