Coming back in 18-19 months, no matter what happens, good or bad, I don’t want to think about my past. I just want to start all over again and keep doing what I’ve been doing, Rahane told BCCI.TV on the sidelines of India’s training session.

I personally enjoyed playing for CSK as I batted well throughout the season, even before the IPL. I had a very good indoor season and felt good about myself. So this comeback was a little emotional for me.

Rahane, who was part of the CSK team that won his fifth IPL title, has already received much praise for his attacking batting and improved stride in T20 cricket, and especially the 27-ball 61 against Mumbai Indians showed his change of intent.

I want to bat with the same attitude and show the same intention that I showed before coming here in the IPL and Ranji Trophy. I wouldn’t want to think about the format, whether it’s T20 or the Tests. The way I bat now, I don’t want to complicate anything and the more I keep it simple, the better for me, said the veteran of 82 Tests and 4931 runs.

The man who led India to the most-discussed series triumph in Australia in 2021 also praised Rohit Sharma for admirably leading the team through most of this WTC cycle.

I think the culture on the team is very good right now. Rohit is managing the team very well, and I’m sure Rahul Bhai is managing the team very well as well. That helps too, and the atmosphere is really good. Right now I see everyone enjoying each other’s company, he said.

Rahane thanked his family and friends for the support he received during his absence from the team.

It was an (emotional) moment for me. When I was out, my family gave me tremendous support, and I dreamed of playing for the Indian national team, and that was very important. Playing for India means a lot to me, and I worked hard on my fitness and got back into domestic cricket.

Thanks to the BCCI and the selectors, when I returned to domestic cricket, my goal was to play for India – whether it was the Ranji Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy or training, for me every day when I woke up, I thought about playing for India again.

What made my comeback possible was enjoying every moment, whether it was success or failure, and having no regrets. Learning from every single person on the Mumbai Ranji team. ВYou have to grow as a cricketer every day, you can’t stop learning, he said.

Playing in England is very difficult, says Rahane, who scored a match-winning hundred in a Test match at Lord’s in 2014.

It’s all about mentality and understanding the situation well, staying in the moment and playing session after session. In England, you don’t just watch the pitch, you watch the weather. In England, you never feel like you’re in the game, even if you’re hitting 70, he said.