Rahane climbs his way to the top,one step at a time

The human pyramid on Janmashtami was on the verge of successfully reaching the pinnacle after three unsuccessful attempts when Ajinkya Rahane.

The human pyramid on Janmashtami was on the verge of successfully reaching the pinnacle after three unsuccessful attempts when Ajinkya Rahane,watching the entire proceedings from the balcony of his Mulund residence,received a call from BCCI secretary N Srinivasans office,asking him to submit his passport at the BCCI headquarters for completing visa formalities to England.

It was a call the top-order Mumbai batsman had imagined so often,and the excitement at it actually happening was channelled into babble within a few seconds as the phone kept ringing for the next few hours. Rahane and Varun Aaron have been selected as replacements for Virender Sehwag and Ishant Sharma for the T20 and the five-match ODI series.

Rahanes cricketing journey is not too different from the human pyramid he was witnessing trying relentlessly on the domestic circuit until he got the national call. Scoring more than four thousand runs at an average of 67.72 in the last four domestic seasons had given him reasons to hope.

There were times when I thought Id get a chance but before going to Australia for the Emerging Players tournament,I finally told myself that I wont be thinking about the India call-up anymore.

So when I scored two centuries in the competition in Brisbane,my teammates kept telling me that I will play for India soon but I didnt gave it a thought,Rahane said.

Had Virender Sehwag not requested to return home due to his shoulder problem,Rahane would most probably be preparing himself for the Corporate Trophy starting next month.

The youngster is delighted with the sudden change of plans but the real job,he says,will begin if and when he makes it to the playing XI against England. It wont be his first sojourn,though,to the land that has tormented the senior Indian team in recent weeks.

Story continues below this ad

Rahane has traveled to England before and played a few games with India A,facing the likes of Chris Tremlett,before Englands tour of India three years ago. People say there is big gap between domestic and international circuit. For me the responsibility will be doubled now,I cant afford to relax. Those four thousand runs will surely help but playing international cricket will be like starting a new inning, the Mumbai batsman said.

My philosophy has been simple since I started playing cricket. I would love to stay at the crease as long as possible,than sitting in the dressing room discussing vague things, he added.

His two centuries in the Emerging Players tournament certainly brought Rahane to the forefront,but he has just taken one step ahead and knows the pinnacle he seeks is still far.