NEW DELHI: Experienced top-order batter Ajinkya Rahane returned in national colours as the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) on Tuesday, named a strong 15-member squad for the World Test Championship final against Australia.
Ajinkya Rahane, who has been in prolific form in the domestic circuit, got the reward as he was recalled to India’s Test side after a long hiatus of more than one year.
Shreyas Iyer’s back injury also played a significant role in Rahane’s return as the former is still on the road to recovery after undergoing surgery in the United Kingdom for a lower back stress fracture.
Rahane last represented India in January 2022 against South Africa and could score only 10 runs in two innings of the match.
Rahane’s inclusion further strengthened India’s strong batting order, comprised of skipper Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, K L Rahul and KS Bharat.
The 15-member squad also features spin all-rounders in the form of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel while five pacers – Shardul Thakur, Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav and Jaydev Unadkat.
It is worth mentioning here that India will take on Australia for the World Test Championship mace from June 7 at The Oval in London.