'I was India's 12th man for two years': Ajinkya Rahane reveals toughest phase of his career
- Posted on August 7, 2026
- By The Times of India
- 1 Views
- 1 min read
In brief
Ajinkya Rahane opens up about the grueling period early in his international career when he served as India's 12th man for two consecutive years. Despite earning his ODI debut in 2011, the talented batter faced an extended waiting game before securing his Test debut opportunity. His journey highlights the competitive nature of Indian cricket and the patience required to break into the national team's longest format squad.
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'I was India's 12th man for two years': Ajinkya Rahane reveals toughest phase of his career
NEW DELHI: Former India batter Ajinkya Rahane has spoken about the difficult wait before making his Test debut, revealing that he spent two years travelling with the team as the 12th man. Rahane made his international debut in limited-overs cricket in 2011 but had to wait for 20 Test matches before finally getting his first chance in the longest format.
