Former Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane shared his thoughts on one of the most challenging periods of his career. He spent nearly two years traveling with the Indian Test team as the 12th man before finally getting his debut in 2013 against Australia.
Rahane, who recently retired from all forms of cricket, explained that this time taught him patience and helped shape his mindset. He made his international debut in limited-overs cricket during India’s tour of England in 2011 but had to wait until 2013 for his Test cap.
On his YouTube channel, Rahane recalled how he chose to focus on self-improvement rather than feeling sorry for himself during those two years. He observed the senior players and learned from their approaches, which eventually helped him build a successful Test career.
Rahane went on to become a key player in India’s middle order, especially abroad. Over 85 Test matches, he scored 5,077 runs with an average of 38.46, including 12 centuries and 26 half-centuries.
Reflecting on the role of patience, Rahane admitted it wasn’t a natural quality but something that developed over time through life experiences and cricket. He also shared how his daily journeys in Mumbai’s local trains as a child helped instill resilience and patience.
Rahane explained that consistent performances in domestic cricket created expectations of being called up for the national team. However, he learned to let things happen naturally by talking to senior players and realizing that patience was key to long-term success.