Ajinkya Rahane shares that being India's 12th man for two years was the most challenging period of his professional journey.

Ajinkya Rahane, the former Indian cricketer, recently reflected on the challenges he faced before making his Test debut, highlighting a two-year journey as the 12th man for the national team. Despite making his international debut in limited-overs cricket in 2011, Rahane had to wait for 20 Test matches before he was given the opportunity to play in the longest format of the game. Rather than succumbing to disappointment, he chose to use this time to learn from his teammates and enhance his skills.

In a candid discussion on his YouTube channel, Rahane shared insights from his early career, stating, "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." He emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive outlook during this period, noting that he had two choices: to seek sympathy or to focus on self-improvement. "There is nothing bad about being a 12th man or serving water or helping your teammates. I took it positively," he added.

Rahane's approach involved keen observation, which he believes contributed to his longevity in the sport. "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 explained. This mindset, he noted, was crucial in shaping his career and preparing him for future challenges.

Reflecting on his journey, Rahane acknowledged that patience was not an inherent trait at the start of his career. "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," he remarked. He drew parallels between his experiences in domestic cricket and the lessons learned from traveling in Mumbai's local trains, which taught him the value of patience.

As he progressed in his career, Rahane realized that success would come in due time. "After talking to some senior players and over time, I realized 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 concluded. Rahane recently announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, leaving behind a legacy of 5,077 runs in 85 Tests, along with significant contributions in ODIs and T20Is.