IPL 2023: Would love to see Ajinkya Rahane in ODI World Cup 2023 squad, says S Sreesanth

Former India fast bowler S Sreesanth backed Ajinkya Rahane to return to the white-ball squad.

In the lead-up to the ODI World Cup, highlighting that the Chennai Super Kings batter might be a good fit for the senior national team in the middle-order.

Ajinkya Rahane can bat at No. 4, especially in Indian conditions and he can win India matches at the showpiece event, which will be played in October-November, according to the World Cup winner.

Rahane has not played white-ball cricket for India in 2018 on an ODI tour of South Africa in February of that year. Rahane has not played T20Is for India since 2016.

Sreesanth’s comments came even as Rahane was handed a recall to the Test squad for the World Test Championship final. The former vice-captain was dropped after India’s tour of South Africa in 2022 but a good run in Ranji Trophy has warranted a place for him in the absence of injured Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant.

Rahane has been in imperious form in IPL 2023, seemingly having revived his T20 career with Chennai Super Kings. After managing 144 runs in 7 matches for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2022, Rahane has scored 224 runs in 7 matches at a strike rate of 189 for CSK.

“I would love to see him in the squad. The way he is performing, especially with the World Cup happening in India. That will be one of the boldest moves the selectors can make,” Sreesanth told Star Sports on May 3.

“I am very confident he will do well in the World Test Championship final. But he shouldn’t look at by that performance. He should be given the opportunity (ODI). Let’s see if there are other tournaments, if he is given the white-ball cricket back to him, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him going at No. 4 and winning matches for the country,” he added.

GAVASKAR AGREES WITH SREESANTH?

However, legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar said it’s not the right time for Rahane to return to white-ball squads, adding the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad, who have done well in the IPL over the last few years, can slot in the middle-order if India are looking for options for the ODI World Cup.

Both Jaiswal, who has scored 428 runs in 9 matches for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2023, and Gaikwad play at the top of the order but Gavaskar said they can slot into the middle-order, if needed.

“Yes, I think it’s a good idea but I would say not at the moment. White-ball game, no Test match definitely yes, but white-ball game, no, I would look at somebody else,” Gavaskar said.

“Maybe somebody who has been doing well in thewhite-ball format. Somebody like an opening batter, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad, if they don’t find place at the top of the order, they can bat in the middle order,” he added.