Ajinkya Rahane shares mantra for success after India comeback for World Test Championship final

A day after he made a comeback to the Indian team that has been named for the ICC World Test Championship final at The Oval in June, Ajinkya Rahane posted a message on social media highlighting the importance of sticking to one’s process irrespective of how seemingly insurmountable the odds might seem.
Rahane, who has hit form for Chennai Super Kings in the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League, found a spot in India’s final squad of 15 for the contest against Australia in south London between June 7 and June 11. Rahane last featured in the Indian Test side in January 2022.
“In my career as a professional cricketer, I have realized that the journey is not always smooth sailing. There are moments when things don’t go as planned, and it becomes tempting to get bogged down the result. However, I have learned that it is essential to stick to the process and not let the outcome affect our focus. As I look back on my career, I realize that the moments when I stuck to the process, despite the unfavorable result, were the ones that taught me the most. These are the moments that helped me grow as a person and as a cricketer. I realized that the times when I let the result dictate my approach were not my finest moments,” wrote the Mumbai cricketer on his LinkedIn account.
“Sticking to the process is not only essential in cricket but in any field that demands excellence. It helps us focus on the things that we can control and take ownership of our actions. When we focus on the process, we don’t get overwhelmed the outcome, and it keeps us motivated to keep working towards our goals.
“As someone who has been in the spotlight for several years, I know that the expectations can be overwhelming. However, I have learned to not let the pressure get to me and focus on the things that I can control. It is the same advice that I would give to anyone who is looking to advance in their field. So, let us all focus on the process and trust in our abilities. The results will follow, but until then, let us keep working hard and keep pushing ourselves towards excellence,” he added.
While Rahane has been included in the side, Suryakumar Yadav, who is No 1 in the ICC T20I batting rankings and vital cog for India in the ODIs, was left out of the Test team.
Australia have, meanwhile, named an 17-player squad for the World Test Championship final and the first two Ashes Tests against England. They will need to prune their squad two before May 28.
India had lost to New Zealand at the inaugural World Test Championship final at Lord’s in 2021.