Ajinkya Rahane makes a strong statement to selectors with a brilliant double century in ongoing Ranji Trophy 2022-23

It was not too long ago when India won the famous test series in Australia, including the win at the Gabba. In the very first game, India faced humiliation by getting all out for 36 runs at the Adelaide Oval and losing the game.

Most of the senior players, including skipper Virat Kohli, missed the rest of the series. That was the time; the responsibility fell on the shoulders of veteran Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane, and the rest is history. India didn't lose another game after that and won the series 2-1.

But after that India sidelines Rahane from th radar in the longest format. And currently, he is not in India's plan. But it didn't stop Rahane to prove his worth for a comeback in the test side.

The 34-year-old is currently leading Mumbai in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2022–23. And in the very first game against Hyderabad, Rahane smashed a brilliant double century for Mumbai. He scored 204 runs off 261 balls, including 26 fours and three sixes.

Notably, this is not the first time that he has gone past the 200-run mark in an inning. Most recently, he smashed a double century in the Duleep Trophy game against North Zone while playing for West Zone. He made 207 off 264 balls in that game.

And his latest double century in the Ranji Trophy, will certainly send a strong statement to the selectors that he is eyeing a return to the Indian side in the red-ball format. Speaking of his 204-run knock against Hyderabad, he came out to bat after the fall of the second wicket and then took his team over the 550-run mark.

Rahane added 176 runs for the third wicket with Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored 162 runs. Then the 34-year-old scored another 196 runs for the fourth wicket with Sarfaraz Khan, who also scored a century. Rahane got out at the score of 578 in 110.2 overs, and Mumbai is looking to score big runs in their first inning.