'What we are seeing now is…' - Ajinkya Rahane stresses need to respect senior players amid team India's transition in Test cricket

Former India batter Ajinkya Rahane has expressed concern over Team India's recent struggles in Test cricket, stressing the importance of preserving experience during a period of transition. The recently retired cricketer also highlighted the need to build players with the temperament and character required to succeed in the longest format.

India have endured a difficult run in Tests despite enjoying significant success in white-ball cricket under head coach Gautam Gambhir. While the Men in Blue have lifted two ICC white-ball titles in the last two years, their red-ball performances have been inconsistent, including two home series whitewashes that have raised questions about the team's direction.

Rahane reflected on India's recent Test performances, admitting that watching the team struggle from the sidelines has been difficult.

“Because I haven’t been playing Test cricket for the last two years, I’ve been sitting at home, watching the Indian team lose matches even in India as well. I think Test cricket needs character. You need to build such characters and play competitive cricket. That’s what’s important. Playing session out. You don’t see many teams do that. I don’t want to pinpoint any team, but you want to see people play out those tough sessions,” said on the Stick to Cricket podcast.

Rahane also spoke about his equation with Gambhir and underlined what he believes is the essence of succeeding in Test cricket.

“I have played with him [Gambhir]. I was not with KKR when he was the coach. I never played under him when he was the coach. We played together when we came here [in England], and even in India. But I feel Test cricket is always about playing sessions, seeing out tough moments.”

Rahane also pointed to the rapid transition in India's Test setup following the exits of stalwarts like Ravichandran Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli within a short span. According to the veteran batter, the current squad lacks the experience required to guide younger players through challenging situations.

“Test cricket fans are actual cricket lovers. What we built apart from the last two years when new players came in Test cricket, I still feel Test cricket needs 7-8 senior players and 2-3 younger players. What we are seeing now is that all the players are actually new. There’s hardly any senior cricketer left. So, Test cricket needs that,” Rahane added.

The Mumbai batter further admitted that he is worried about the future of the format if teams fail to maintain the right balance between youth and experience.

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“Frankly, yes I do (fear for Test cricket). Because the way it is going, we all want Test cricket to survive, to be there – India, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa. These 4-5 teams specially. Because what I have seen in the last 2-3 years, you need to keep and respect the senior players, especially because with the Indian team, all the senior players going out together at once, that’s been the issue.”

India will next be in action in a two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, beginning on August 15 in Galle.