London, Jul 12 (PTI): Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane is no longer in the selectors' scheme of things but the 37-year-old will once again head into another domestic season, starting next month, with hopes of donning the national whites one more time.

Rahane, who has scored 5077 runs in 85 Tests with 12 hundreds, last played for India during the tour of West Indies in 2023, but since then, the selection committee under Ajit Agarkar preferred to look ahead, ignoring him and another stalwart Cheteshwar Pujara.

"It's good to be here. I still want to play Test cricket. I am really passionate about playing Test cricket and at this moment, I am enjoying my cricket. Just here for a few days and I carried my training clothes so that I can keep myself fit. Our domestic season is starting so the preparation has just begun," Rahane told Nasser Hussain on Sky Sports Cricket.

In domestic cricket, Rahane is expected to once again lead Mumbai in Ranji Trophy.

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Bengaluru: Minister Zameer Ahmed has responded to reports of Muslim community leaders writing to the Congress high command expressing concerns.

Speaking to reporters, he said he had seen the letter in the media and noted that around 15–16 community leaders had written to Rahul Gandhi, as well as to the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and Mallikarjun Kharge.

“They have expressed their views. If you want to know their opinion, you should ask them. I cannot speak on their behalf,” he said.

Stressing that there is no discrimination, Zameer Ahmed said everyone is being treated equally. “Since those who wrote the letter are community leaders, the reasons behind it should be asked to them directly,” he added.

He also said that different leaders express different views. “One person may speak in my favour, another may speak for someone else. There is no need to consider all that,” he said, referring to discussions around leaders like Abdul Jabbar and Naseer Ahmed.

On the issue concerning Naseer Ahmed, Zameer Ahmed said he is a senior leader and that if any anti-party activity was involved, due process should have been followed. “There is a procedure, a notice should be issued first, a reply should be obtained, and then action should be taken. This is also the view expressed by Satish Jarkiholi and several others,” he said.

He clarified that he is not saying action against anyone is wrong if anti-party activity is proven, but decisions should follow proper procedure.

Responding to demands that action against Abdul Jabbar and Naseer Ahmed be withdrawn, he said steps should be taken as per rules and that there was a view that immediate action may not have been necessary.

On the mention in the letter about “teaching a lesson” in future elections, he said there is indeed some dissatisfaction among political and community leaders. “We will speak and resolve the issues. Those who have written the letter should be asked directly,” he said.