Ajinkya Rahane breaks silence on player fear and selector power in Indian cricket

Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane has ignited a storm of debate in Indian cricket with his outspoken comments about the country’s selection system. In an open and candid conversation with Cheteshwar Pujara on his YouTube channel, the veteran batter said players ‘should not be scared of selectors’ and urged for sweeping reforms in how selection panels are chosen, especially at the domestic level. According to Rahane, only recently retired first-class players should be entrusted with the responsibility of picking teams, as they are more likely to relate to the evolving nature of modern cricket. His comments, seen as a rare moment of honesty from a senior player, have triggered intense discussion about whether fear, bias, or outdated systems are holding back deserving talent in India’s cricket structure.

Ajinkya Rahane believes modern minds needed in selection committees

Rahane believes that the current eligibility model for selectors, allowing anyone with 10 first-class matches and five years since retirement, is outdated and disconnected from the demands of modern cricket. He argued that selectors must understand today’s formats like the IPL and T20s, which have reshaped player styles, attitudes, and workloads. “Players should not be scared of selectors. I want to talk about selectors, especially in domestic cricket. We should have selectors who have retired recently from top-flight cricket, those who stopped playing around five, six, or seven years ago. The game is evolving fast, and selectors must evolve with it.” Rahane insisted, emphasizing that this would ensure fresher perspectives and fairer evaluations.

The veteran also said players should feel free and fearless while performing, without worrying about selectors’ judgments. His remarks subtly hinted that many domestic players might be overcautious due to perceived favoritism or conservative thinking from those who played decades ago. By proposing that selectors should be chosen state-wise and based on recent experience, Rahane’s comments spotlight the urgent need for systemic evolution within Indian cricket’s administrative framework.

“Because the way cricket is evolving, I think it’s very important that the mentality and mindset of the selectors match that and keep pace with the change. The game is evolving. We don’t want to make decisions based on how cricket was played 20-30 years ago. With formats like T20 and the IPL, it’s important to understand the style of modern cricket players. I believe selectors should, wherever possible, be individuals from all states, and players should be on the ground playing with freedom, playing fearless cricket.” Rahane added.

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Cheteshwar Pujara wants balance Between experience and modern understanding

Cheteshwar Pujara, Rahane’s long-time teammate and fellow Test stalwart, echoed the sentiment for reform but offered a balanced view. He agreed that recently retired players bring modern awareness but also reminded that veteran cricketers with strong records shouldn’t be overlooked merely because they stopped playing long ago.

“In big states, this can be implemented because they have so many options. So, wherever possible, I do agree that it can be implemented, but that does not mean that any past cricketer, who has got a great record and wants to be a selector now, should be deprived of the chance because he retired long back,” Pujara said.

Both players agreed that domestic performance should remain the backbone of Test selection, reinforcing India’s cricketing depth and merit-based culture. Pujara explained that while priorities have shifted—with format specialization and the lure of white-ball cricket—domestic cricket continues to shape future Test stars. He also reflected on how Indian cricket has evolved since the IPL’s advent in 2008, transforming infrastructure, exposure, and professionalism. Despite fewer Test matches each year, he said, the passion for red-ball cricket and its value in Indian cricket remains strong.

“I strongly believe that those who want to play Test cricket should play domestic cricket first. And everyone plays it. And it is also important to perform well in it. And if we talk about the current team selection, or if we talk about the last two or three series, the domestic players who have performed well in the Ranji Trophy or domestic cricket, they have got an opportunity to play in the Indian squad. So, what it suggests is that it is a positive move. Because when domestic players perform well in domestic cricket, they should get a reward. And I believe that this should continue. And the selection of the Indian Test team should be purely based on domestic cricket,” Pujara observed.

Rahane agreed wholeheartedly, highlighting that domestic success remains the truest measure of readiness for Test cricket.

“I think you are absolutely right. The selection of the Indian Test team should be based on domestic cricket. And I think this value remains. When you come to Test cricket after performing so well in domestic cricket… the value of the Test cap, and the experience of playing Test cricket, is also different,” Rahane concluded.

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