Didn’t have money for rickshaw, mother used to walk me to training: Ajinkya Rahane

After making his debut to the national side in 2011, Ajinkya Rahane is now regarded as one of the most technically sound India batsmen. The 31-year-old Maharashtrian has played 64 Test matches so far in his 7-year Test career and is currently also serving as India vice-captain in the longest format of the game.

Ajinkya Rahane is now a reputed name in the Indian cricket but the success did not come easy to the 31-year old as he had to go through his own share of struggles as he did not belong to a well-to-do family.

In the latest episode of India Today Inspiration, Rahane recalled his struggling days where his mother used to walk 6 kms for his training because they did not have money to afford a rickshaw.

“My cricketing journey started in Dombivli. I still remember my mother used to walk with me with my kit bag in one bag and my brother in her other arm and we used to walk 6-8kms one way. We could not afford rickshaw fare at that time. Often I used to get tired and so I would ask my mother to take a Rickshaw but she also did not have an answer to that. So once in a week, we used to take a rickshaw ride,” Rahane said.

“I am here because of my parents. For them, I am still the same Ajinkya Rahane. My family has sacrificed a lot for me so it was my dream to do something for them. I had seen that during my train journies when I was 7. My father came with me on my first day from Dombivli to CST and dropped me and went to work. The second day he told me that now on I had to travel alone. So my father dropped me to Dombivli station and I took the train but later I got to know that my father was on the other compartment behind me. He followed me to CST to see if I could travel alone or not. Once he was assured that I was safe then he let me travel alone.”

“I remember all the sacrifices they had made for me. They used to take me to cricket practice and never interfered or questioned about my performance,” Rahane recalled.