Picture Credit: Twitter
Acclaimed Indian film director Neeraj Pandey is set to release ‘Bandon Mein Tha Dum’, a four-part documentary series on India’s historic triumph in the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Ahead of the release of this documentary, the India captain from that series, Ajinkya Rahane wrote an emotional letter about his journey of making the cut in the national team.
“I found my calling the moment I picked up a bat at a very young age”
Ajinkya Rahane started the letter by talking about his early days in Mumbai where he use to take early morning local trains for reaching various grounds. He wrote, "Growing up in Dombivli, it was just raw passion for the game that drove my dream to become a cricketer. There wasn't much to inspire me around my place but knew I found my calling the moment I picked up a bat at a very young age. Key matches or selection trials don't take place in the suburbs, so long journeys in crowded trains very early in the morning were part of my daily routine."
But the wait to get my first Test cap went on: Rahane
"I made my first-class debut at 19, starting the long journey of becoming an India international four years later. Those years, I spent a lot of time on the sidelines of the first team. I made my ODI debut in 2011, did well on that tour, but the wait to get my first Test cap went on. It was great to be around legends, learning by observing their routines and talking to them", Ajinkya Rahane continued.
"I finally made my Test debut against Australia in early 2013. It wasn't a great game personally, but we won a big series, so those emotions overshadowed my performances. But from there, I had a wonderful run, scoring centuries in tough overseas conditions, forming memorable partnerships with incredible teammates and even captaining the side whenever necessary", Ajinkya Rahane added.
“To spark a comeback from a terrible setback at Adelaide required something special”
Talking about the historic tour, Ajinkya Rahane wrote, "The biggest onus of leadership was bestowed on me during the iconic Border-Gavaskar series of 2020. To spark a comeback from a terrible setback at Adelaide required something special. This was on my mind when I walked in to bat at Melbourne.”
Ajinkya Rahane went on to express that as he got a chance in the middle, the game just took over. He also talked about how his continuous efforts helped him score a century and how Jadeja, who was at the crease with him informed him of the three-figure mark.
"It felt great, special. But the job wasn't done. Thankfully, we finished the job a month later in Gabba", Ajinkya Rahane concluded.