The 33-year-old middle-order batsman said India deserved to be in the WTC final on the back of a consistent showing in the last two years.
In an exclusive interaction with India TV, MSK Prasad labelled Rahane as a 'team-man' and underlined his conduct in Australia when regular skipper Virat Kohli was away on paternity leave.
In order to ramp up the coronavirus vaccination drive in the country, the Centre had last month announced a 'liberalised and accelerated' Phase 3 strategy of COVID-19 vaccination from May 1.
India's Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine on Saturday.
Rahane last played in India's fourth Test against England that ended on March 6.
While KL Rahul departed on a duck in the very first over, Ishan stuck in the middle as he stitched a 94-run stand with skipper Virat Kohli.
Anderson dismissed Rahane for the sixth time in the longest format just before lunch of the second day.
Rahane on Tuesday said there is no need to take criticism of the spin-friendly pitches in the country "seriously" as not a word is spoken about the "damp" tracks elsewhere and England can expect another turner in the fourth Test.
There has been a lot of talk about the spinning tracks in the second Test at Chepauk and the pink ball game at Motera which ended inside two days.
The Indian team, currently leading by 2-1, needs to win or draw the final Test of the series to qualify for the final of inaugural WTC at Lord's.
Axar was also adjudged Man of the Match for his brilliant display at the Motera strip.
India were 86/3 when Rahane walked into the middle and his 162-run partnership with Rohit (161) gave the hosts the advantage on Day 1 of second Test.
Rohit and vice-captain Rahane added 162 runs for the fourth wickets as India scored 300 for 6 at stumps on the first day of the second Test against England.
At stumps, Rishabh Pant was batting on 33 and giving him company at the other end was debutant Axar Patel on 5.
England's review was later reinstated by the ICC Match Referee according to 3.6.8 of the ICC's playing conditions
Jaffer had resigned on Tuesday citing "interference and bias of selectors and the association's secretary for non-deserving players" as the reason.
Rahane also defended his teammate Rohit Sharma's underwhelming form, terming it a matter of time before he sets up a win for the hosts.
Rahane, however, refused to confirm the playing XI or even the 12.
Rahane, who led India to historic Test series win in Australia, also backed spinners to do well after being uneventful in the first Test.
While India slipped after their 227-run defeat to England in the opening Test in Chennai, the visitors kept alive their hopes of making the final of the inaugural event.
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