Ajinkya Rahane recalls two-year wait for India Test debut: 'I was the 12th man for 20 games'
Speaking about the wait for his Test debut, Rahane admitted the two-year period as India's 12th man was one of the most challenging phases of his career. However, instead of letting disappointment take over, he embraced the role, using the experience to learn from his teammates and develop the mindset that helped him enjoy a long and successful Test career."The first two years, when I entered the team for the first time in 2011. I had to wait 20 games for my Test debut, and I was there as a 12th man for two years. That was a challenging phase, but I learnt a lot from it. I had two choices: either to gain sympathy or try to improve myself. There is nothing bad about being a 12th man or serving water or helping your teammates. I took it positively. I would look at everything, and because of that, I could play for a long time. Observing helped my attitude and mindset. It would be easy to gain sympathy, but I never expected that," he said on his Hindi YouTube channel."It was there from before, but it also developed as I kept playing and gained experience. I will not say I had so much patience right from the start. When you travel in a local train in Mumbai, it is challenging. So somewhere, patience develops right from there. When I started domestic cricket and kept scoring consistently, you unknowingly think that your name should come for India. And even I thought the same. But after talking to some senior players and over time, I realised it will happen when it has to happen. You do whatever is in your control. If you want to play for long, patience is important," he added.
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