Indian Test specialist Ajinkya Rahane has pulled out of the County stint with Leicestershire after he was recalled into the national team in the World Test Championship Final. The veteran batter has cited the hectic schedule as the reason behind him not traveling to England. 

Ajinkya Rahane was supposed to play One-Day Cup with Leicestershire next month but now he will taking a short break from cricket. He will now be replaced by Australian cricketer Peter Handscomb, who represented Leicestershire in the County Championship and T20 Blast this season. 

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Leicestershire confirmed the development about Ajinkya Rahane in an official statement, saying “due to increased international commitments, which had not been factored into his plans. [He] has now expressed his desire to take a break from cricket during August and September.” 

Leicestershire director of cricket Claude Henderson said that they understand Ajinkya Rahane’s situation and admitted that they had planned for things like these. He explained: 

“We have been in constant communication with Ajinkya and accept how situations can change quickly in cricket. He is extremely grateful for our understanding and still hopes to play for Leicestershire one day. 

“Thankfully, we had planned for a situation like this, and we are delighted Peter is staying on with the team. He brings many qualities alongside his batting and wicketkeeping, including strong leadership, which is a massive help to Lewis [Hill] and the rest of the guys in our changing room.” 

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Ajinkya Rahane will have to show consistency in his game – Wasim Jaffer 

Ajinkya Rahane made a comeback into the Test side for the ICC WTC final after being dropped in January 2022. He scored a half-century in the summit clash but hasn’t been able to mark in the two innings that he played in the series against West Indies. The right-hander failed in both the innings and his place in the side has again come under scrutiny. 

Wasim Jaffer feels that Ajinkya Rahane needs to be consistent as he might be the captaincy option for India after Rohit Sharma in the Tests. Speaking to Jio Cinema, he also revealed the reason behind BCCI selectors picking him as vice-captain. He explained: 

“Rahane will have to show consistency in his game, which has been his problem even though he has played 80.90 Tests (84). Consistency has been an issue, he will have to overcome it because India have a good captaincy option in him after Rohit Sharma is done. Rahane will have to make runs, and the everything else will follow. 

“If his form was great from that Australia series after that 36 all-out, the way he led, scored a hundred in Melbourne… had his form remained the same, he would have been the next Test captain. But he lost his form and got dropped. However, he reinvented himself in the IPL and got a chance in the WTC final. He was appointed the vice-captain as well, because the Indian selectors see a good leader in him,” he concluded.

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