Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar feels that veteran Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane will play more freely in his approach against Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) final at The Oval, starting on Wednesday, June 7. Rahane was dropped from the Indian team last year, but some great shows in domestic cricket and IPL have seen him returning to the squad for the WTC final more so because of injuries to Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul who have been ruled out.

Speaking to Star Sports, Sanjay Manjrekar said: “He was under tremendous pressure the last time when he was playing for India. It’s tough for the batter when while going out to bat if he thinks that this could be the last innings of his Test career. But I don’t think he will be in that place now as he has seen life after Test cricket, almost like a retired cricketer. Now he has got the opportunity, I feel his mind will be a lot more free.”

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While Ajinkya Rahane was in great form for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL 2023 season, Manjrekar also feels it was his domestic season that helped him get back into the national squad. The veteran also added that Ajinkya Rahane would need to apply himself really well against a strong Australian bowling attack as well.

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“People might think his IPL form would have contributed to his comeback. But he had a good first-class season as well. He will have a freer mind, but he will have his work cut out as well as Test cricket is a different ball game and he is playing against a top-notch opposition. I have no idea how he will bat as although he seems to be in form, it is a completely different scenario,” Sanjay Manjrekar concluded.