India’s former Test captain, Ajinkya Rahane has played 192 international matches and he has been known for scoring runs in the toughest of conditions. In a distinguished career, Rahane has played more than 150 IPL games and also captained. Yet, he has reasons to believe he has unfinished business in the game.
For the last three IPL seasons, he has been reduced to a fringe player. After losing captaincy to the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in 2019 and eventually parting ways, Rahane had three forgettable seasons at Delhi Capitals (DC) and later Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to be written off as a T20 batter. He lost his place on the Test squad as well at the start of 2022.
WATCH – Ajinkya Rahane Slams The Fastest Fifty Of IPL 2023
On Saturday night at Wankhede, Ajinkya Rahane played a blitzkrieg knock of 61 off 27 balls, in the process scoring the fastest fifty of IPL 2023. There was genuine appreciation and warmth in the way former players-turned-commentators came forward to congratulate him as he walked across the ground for media interactions.
Fastest 50 of this season belongs to Ajinkya Rahane😳🔥 #MIvsCSK #AjinkyaRahane pic.twitter.com/j5YAjYp6ZK
— Shubhankar Mishra (@shubhankrmishra) April 8, 2023
Talking about the game, as per the quotes in Hindustan Time, Ajinkya Rahane said, “I was still hitting sixes (without power hits), that is important. Every player is different, the strengths are different. I don’t want to be somebody else. I just want to be Ajinkya Rahane, the way I know how to play, my strengths, my weaknesses, my timing. I never tried to be someone else, it’s all about trying to remind myself if I can be Ajinkya Rahane and play like Ajinkya Rahane, I will be fine.”
His impactful innings are also attributed to the CSK effect. The Chennai franchise is known for nourishing talented players, allowing their good players to perform to their potential. The franchise had bought Rahane at his base price at the auction.
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Explaining the same, Ajinkya Rahane said, “I was really happy when CSK picked me. How they treat each and every individual. Before this I had heard from many players, it is really like a family. I know now. I have played under Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni) a lot of times in the Indian team, at CSK it was for the first time. I am really enjoying: the atmosphere is the same whether we win or lose.”
