For 19-year-old Raakin Rahman, Monday the 17th of November marks more than just a debut it’s the culmination of years of quiet perseverance, mental growth, and an unwavering belief in his own game. As one of the youngest members of the Comets 2nd XI squad, Rahman’s selection is a testament to his electric form and the maturity he’s developed both on and off the field.
“Yeah, like it feels amazing. It's an amazing opportunity to get. I've been thinking about it for like the last, what, two years since it first started” Rahman said.
That call came from coach Jono earlier this week, and Rahman reaction was pure joy. “As soon as Jono called me, I had the biggest smile on my face. It kind of felt like I was expecting it a little bit but also had a little bit of nervousness, like saying ‘oh what if I didn’t get it?’”
His form this season has been nothing short of dominant. In just five rounds, Rahman has piled on 467 runs, showcasing a blend of technical precision and mental resilience. But for him, the step up isn’t about changing his game it’s about trusting it.
“It’s just about going back to my processes,” he explained. “I’ve had a lot to think about in the off-season and in the seasons before, just about taking a step back and thinking about, OK, if I fail, it’s about the next game and it’s about the next opportunity that I get.”
That mindset shift from pressure to presence has been pivotal. “Physically it hasn’t really changed that much,” he said. “It’s just about maybe facing a bit faster balls. But it’s been a big mental push for me. I think the last couple of years, I’ve put a lot of pressure on myself to try to break into this squad, try to score a lot of runs. And now it’s just been about, okay, just back my skills.”
His teammates have noticed the transformation too. Nic, a close teammate and fellow Comet, shared his pride: “Super proud of him. Obviously, I’ve played a lot of cricket together over the last few years. I think he’s got an unreal skill set. He’s going to absolutely love being out there and being a part of it. His game definitely holds up.”
Nic also spoke to the team’s broader philosophy one that Rahman has embraced. “We see any team we come up against, they’re just really good at doing the little things for a long period. And I think that’s what we’ve got to do. With bat, it’s just being ruthless and not letting your guard down at all. And with the ball, it’s just being very consistent, volume, partnerships, and working together.”
For Rahman, the debut isn’t about milestones it’s about moments. “There isn’t really a target in my mind,” he said. “It’s sort of just like playing my best cricket. If it pulls off, I really do want to get a win next week. Trying to get Comets 2nd XI their first win against South Australia that would be an amazing feeling.”
Preparation has been key. “We’ve had some really good prep, specifically for this ground and for the wicket. Everyone in the squad’s played many games at this location. So yeah, I think we know the ground well. It’s just about putting those lessons we’ve had in training into practice.”
Rahman credits his older brother Esam as a major influence. “He’s always shown the way for me from a young age. I’m always looking up to him. But also a lot of my teammates especially when I was opening seeing how they take on their game really inspired me.”
As he steps onto the field for the first time in Comets colours, Rahman isn’t chasing perfection he’s chasing joy. “I just want to have some fun playing cricket with people I love playing with. It’s definitely a step forward for me. Still got a long way to go, got to perform at the next level. But yeah, step in the right direction. Just got to keep persevering, keep taking my chances and opportunities.”