Duleep Trophy: ‘I'm looking forward to start from zero again’, says Ajinkya Rahane ahead of the domestic season

Indian middle-order batter Ajinkya Rahane said that he is looking to have a new beginning and not looking at his past performances and prospects of playing again for India.

Rahane last played a high-profile competitive match in the Indian Premier League 2022 but had to leave midway after sustaining a hamstring injury. He also had to miss the knockout stages for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy.

However, Rahane has recovered from the injury and is ready to make a comeback to the field.

Read: From Ajinkya Rahane to Shreyas Iyer, plenty of Indian players to be in action

“The recovery has been good. I was in NCA for a couple of months. The NCA staff and BCCI looked after me really well. I’m completely fit, and this is my first game after injury,” Rahane said ahead of the Duleep Trophy starter on 8 September, wherein he will lead the West Zone.

Rahane said that he will start from zero and not think of his future or past.

“It [the domestic season] is really important. I’m looking forward to start from zero again. For me, I don’t want to think about my past or future; it’s about being in the moment, and that’s why I said I want to start from zero again. You always get goosebumps when you go on the field, and I always like that feeling.

“When you get that goosebumps, you get the motivation – whichever game you’re playing, whether it is a domestic game or international game. That feeling should be there. That feeling is still there, and I’m really excited about this season, starting with Duleep Trophy [sic].”

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