Ajinkya Rahane, who last played for India in the two-matchTest series against West Indies in July 2023, continues to eye a comeback in the Indian team. The 36-year-old top-order batter is leading Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy season 2024-25. Rahane has managed to gather a total of 437 runs through eight matches so far. In Mumbai’s quarterfinal match against Haryana last week, he played a crucial role by scoring 31 and 108 runs, helping Mumbai win the match by 152 runs and secure a place in the semifinal against Vidarbha. Ahead of Mumbai’s semifinal match against Vidarbha at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur, Rahane spoke to the Indian Express. He expressed that the desire to make a comeback to Team India is still strong in him. Rahane said: "I’m more experienced but still feel young. I’m fit enough to compete at the highest level. I am passionate and love this game. There is hunger to do well. I never get satisfied with my game and don’t take things for granted. The fire is still burning inside me to play at the highest level. I feel there’s more cricket left in me." Also Read | Indian Legend Picks Surprise Bowling Leader for Champions Trophy No PR Team - Just Cricket for Rahane Though Rahane has delivered many match-winning innings for India in all formats after his international debut against England in 2011, he has not stolen as much media limelight as cricketers like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Cheteshwar Pujara. Rahane, who led India to a 2-1 series victory over Australia in the 2020-21 Test series, clarified that playing the game had always been his priority. But now he realizes that remaining in the news is also necessary. Rahane added: "I was always shy; now I have opened up. My focus has been to play cricket and go home. Nobody told me that going ahead, certain things will be needed. Today also, sometimes I feel ki bus cricket khelo, ghar jao. Now I am told I need to speak up and talk about my hard work. People say you need to be in the news … I don’t have a PR team; my only PR is my cricket. I have now realised that staying in the news is important. Otherwise, people think that I’m out of the circle." Although Rahane has been out of the Indian team for almost two years, he is still determined to make a successful comeback. His aim is clear: to return to the national team. He added: "There is still fire and passion in me. I’m playing Ranji Trophy at the moment, trying to give my all to the Mumbai team. The goal is clear—to make another comeback. When I was dropped a few years ago, I made runs and was picked for the World Test Championship final and then was dropped again. But what is in my control? To play. Somewhere I feel I can still serve the Indian team. Cricket is still left in me."