Veteran commentator Sanjay Manjrekar feels veteran India batter Ajinkya Rahane will have a slightly relaxed mindset ahead of the World Test Championship (WTC) final. India will take on Australia in the WTC final at The Oval in London from June 7 and Rahane has been recalled into the Indian squad after his stunning form in domestic cricket and the recently concluded edition of the Indian Premier League as well. On the Star Sports show ‘Game Plan’, Manjrekar opened up on Rahane’s likely mindset and revived his Test career as well.

“In terms of thinking, there will be slightly less pressure on him because he was almost dropped, and he has got one more opportunity. He will feel slightly relaxed as though he got a post-retirement scheme. Ajinkya Rahane’s form will start from his form in his last international Test match. I have also played first-class cricket after getting dropped. You score runs but don’t get that much confidence.”

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Ajinkya Rahane scored 634 runs which came at an excellent average of 57.63 in seven games in the 2022-23 season of the Ranji Trophy. He was in sublime form in IPL 2023, smashing 326 runs in 11 innings at an amazing strike rate of 172.48 for winners Chennai Super Kings as well. However, Ajinkya Rahane has played for India in 82 Tests. However, he also stated that he has more expectations from Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli than Ajinkya Rahane in the WTC final.

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“There is a different kind of pressure in Test cricket and different quality. (Cheteshwar) Pujara scored runs in the last few matches, and Virat Kohli scored a century in his last match. I don’t think you will see a different Ajinkya Rahane in this Test match. If he is successful, it is very good, but I will not have too many expectations from him. My main players will be Rohit Sharma, Pujara and Virat Kohli,” Sanjay Manjrekar concluded.