'FC main toh riyan parag ne bhi run banaye thee' - Fans react as Ravi Shastri slams critics who claim Ajinkya Rahane's Test selection is based on IPL 2023 performances

Ravi Shastri & Ajinkya Rahane (Source: Twitter)

The Indian Cricket Board announced a 15-member squad for the World Test Championship (WTC) final on Tuesday, April 25 and to everyone’s surprise, the selectors included veteran batter, Ajinkya Rahane. Rahane's recall to the Test team after 15 months was not digested by many and they lashed out at the selection committee, assuming his selection was based on his performance in 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL).

However, the former Team India head coach Ravi Shastri backed the 34-year-old's inclusion in the India squad for the marquee event against Australia which will be held at the Oval in London from June 7 to 11. "I'm so glad he's made it to the side," said the former India captain.

Rahane last played in the South Africa Test series in January 2022 and was dropped following poor form. However, he had an impressive outing at the domestic level and he continues to impress everyone with his aggressive knocks in the ongoing IPL for Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The Maharashtra -born player is striking close to 200 and has scored more than 200 runs in six outings this season.

Just two days after his blistering 29-ball 71* against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens, the governing body of Indian cricket announced the WTC final squad, prompting many to suspect his selection was based on the performance in IPL. Meanwhile, Shastri slammed those critics who didn't take the time to analyse Rahane's last first-class innings.

"People think he's just played three IPL games and that's why he's in the side. They must have been on holiday for six months when he was playing first-class cricket. They must've been somewhere in the jungle where there's no contact with anyone in the world. When you go six months into a holiday, you miss those 600 runs," he said.

He did a sterling job to win a Test series in Australia: Shastri

Cricketer-turned-commentator Shastri also pointed out that the addition of Rahane in the middle order was driven by the fact that some key players were injured.

"He batted beautifully in these two-three games he's played in the IPL, has looked in great touch. And let's not forget the experience he has. The moment Shreyas Iyer was injured, you had to look in that direction," he said.

"Don't forget just two-and-a-half years ago, the man won a Test series in Australia. He was the captain when Virat went and did a sterling job. People forget that hundred at the MCG, the way he played, and the fact that he's gone back to the grind. Let's hope that experience comes handy," the 60-year-old added.

Here's how fans reacted to Ravi Shastri's statement: 

In first class too he has just scored big runs against weak teams and failed against big teams

— Rohan Jain (@RohanJain028) April 29, 2023

Sarfaraz consistently performing in Ranji yet no place

— Shivam Mishra (@barcanation6) April 29, 2023

Were u on holiday when sarfraz scoring runs !!??

— Deric Gladson (@dericgladson) April 29, 2023

Bhai sarfaraj ne kya ande ubale hai FC mein.

— Dr. Deng (@cgoma_stock) April 29, 2023

FC main toh riyan parag ne bhi run banaye thee 🤪

— 𝘿𝙝𝙧𝙪𝙫⚡️ (@dhruvOne8) April 29, 2023

And will get out by just scoring 15-20 runs

— Gaurav  (@Gauravv_Dubey) April 29, 2023

Rahane had to come back, and he was the only choice for them as SKY can't be trusted right now. Sarfaraz cannot be taken directly to a big match with no experience. Additionally, Rahane has been a great servant of Indian cricket, with many great test innings under his belt.

— Khush Thakkar (@Khush_Thakkar12) April 29, 2023

Sarfaraz was performing well from last two seasons in ranji

I think Ravi shastri was on High during that time

— Reddeath (@imkeerthi98) April 29, 2023