‘My mother used to babysit to earn extra money. Those memories are in my mind’: Ajinkya Rahane explains his philosophy

“I used to come from Dombivali, the train journey was the most challenging for me and I used to travel alone from the age of 8 because my father had to go to office,” Rahane recalls in a conversation with The Indian Express. “I come from a lower-middle-class family. My mother used to babysit to earn extra money because my father’s salary wasn’t enough to make ends meet. Those memories are in my mind and that is why I try to be grounded. This fame and money has come only due to this game.”

Ajinkya Rahane’s 98 powered Mumbai to their second Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final on Friday. (PTI)

That’s the reason he tries to guide younger players, who suddenly get a lot of money and fame quickly and are at a risk of losing their way. Rahane stresses that one should never forget one’s roots.

“I don’t like to go into their personal space but as a leader, if I feel I need to tell them anything, I will. I have seen players with talent but wrong choices and wrong friends took them astray. It’s important not to forget where we all come from. Many times when a player is having a great run, you see people with them. Suddenly, if things go wrong, the same people vanish. So it is very important to know who your true friends are ,” he says.

Rahane is also very particular about how he spends his money, and took his time before buying a new car.

“This is where my family values came in. They never said don’t spend, but they only said if it’s needed, do it. I bought a car very late in my life, I used to take a lift from Nilesh Kulkarni, Avishkar Salvi or Pravin Tambe. I bought a second-hand WagonR when I played for India. People said bada car le but for me it was about travelling in comfort. I wanted to invest wisely. After two years, I bought a Honda City,” Rahane added.