INDORE: While he is a vital cog in India's Test squad, Ajinkya Rahane has been ignored for the shorter formats for some time now. It has been more than a year since Ajinkya Rahane featured for the Men in Blue, with the last of his 90 ODI appearances coming at Centurion in South Africa in February, 2018.Even as the suspense over his inclusion in the World Cup squad gains momentum, Rahane is hopeful of boarding the plane to England in May and pleads for a fair run in the ODIs."I am aggressive as a batsman but by nature I am an introvert. I don't like to talk too much, I prefer to let my bat speak but sometimes it's important to speak the truth. I have believed the team always comes first and I have always respected the team management and the selectors' decision and I will continue to do that."But in the end, it is important that the effort that I am putting in is acknowledged. As a player, I feel everyone needs consistent chances to do well for the team."Despite batting well as an opener in West Indies and in the home series against Australia, Rahane was made to bat in the middle-order in South Africa. When asked if it was a letdown of sorts, Rahane who is leading Mumbai's challenge in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament, here, said: "If I feel let down, my mindset will turn negative, so I don't really think that way. I leave that decision to the selectors because they are the best judges. But at the same time I also believe that my performances were really good. If you see the last three-four series, my average was around 45 to 50. After that I was dropped. I went back to domestic cricket and I feel I have done reasonably well. I don't think about being let down because I want to remain positive and not get into a negative zone."Rahane is a senior member of the team now and is also the vice-captain of the Test side. He will lead the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League as well. But despite having such a glorified portfolio, the general perception in the cricketing world is that Rahane has been given a raw deal."I have always thought the country and the team comes first. Even when I played for Mumbai I started off an as opener, but when the team wanted me to bat at No. 3, I agreed and accepted the challenge. So I don't think I will ever ask for anything except the team's cause. Having said that, though, the point that I am trying to make here is that if as a player I have always been committed to the team's cause, then I deserve chances more consistently. That's the least I am asking for."In sport, to be able to perform consistently, an athlete needs complete support from all quarters. In Rahane's case it is believed, the snub in the shorter formats is affecting his form in Tests as well."Frankly, I never think about my personal achievements. But every individual needs confidence and positive vibes like "yes, you are there and you are doing it for the team". I think everyone knows that if someone is backing you, the player gets the confidence to play fearless and positive cricket. Having said that, though, I don't think my game in Tests is getting affected," he clarified.Rahane may be not in the scheme of things as far as the shorter formats are concerned but he is confident and hopeful. "Things can change anytime. And like every player even I harbour dreams of playing in the World Cup. So yeah, I am hopeful."