Veteran India player Ajinkya Rahane has been on sublime form in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with five fifties from seven innings. Apart from the stunning consistency, it’s his high strike rate that’s stood out. Rahane also played crucial knocks in a game that Mumbai needed to win to qualify for the knockouts and then followed it up with consecutive fifties in the quarterfinal and semifinal as well.
“It’s just a mindset change,” said Rahane at the post-match press conference after Mumbai’s semi-final win over Baroda. “Same intent and don’t want to think far too ahead or think about my own result or outcome. The way this format is going on throughout the world, we see first six overs are really important. You have to capitalize on those first six overs. If the opener or top three bats well in the first six overs and gets a big score, it becomes really easy after the first six overs.”
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Despite the resurgence in his strike rate, Ajinkya Rahane didn’t make a lot of changes to his technique or strokeplay. It is also evident from his batting that the shot selection has been conventional with only the aerial strokes being higher in percentage as well.
“I did play a few shots, scoop, reverse sweep in this tournament. But it’s always about reading the situation and conditions and play accordingly. Before making my Test debut, I played six seasons of domestic cricket, red ball cricket. And then I made my Test debut. So, it’s always about giving back. I still love the game. I’m still passionate about the game. And the fire inside me is still alive to represent India. So, it’s always about that. I always want to continue doing well for the team. Be it in domestic cricket or if I get a chance in future, in international cricket,” he further added.
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“For me, it’s always about the team, always about contribution for the team. It’s a larger game. I never think about myself. But about the captainship, I always enjoyed being a captain. I was a captain in Ranji Trophy’s first six games. Now, the selectors thought Shreyas will be a good captain and he’s doing a great job. So, I’m happy that I’m playing under him. Whoever is the captain, I’m really happy to play under any captain. It’s always about the team for me,” Ajinkya Rahane concluded.
