Mumbai Indians managed only 157 runs in the first innings against Chennai Super Kings on a batting paradise at Wankhede Stadium on Saturday. They needed to start well with the ball but couldn’t do so.
The first three overs of the second innings were quite good from Mumbai’s perspective. Behrendorff rattled the stumps of Conway in the very first over and CSK had only managed to score 21 runs in 18 deliveries.
However, little did Mumbai know what Ajinkya Rahane had planned to do in the next over. Facing Arshad Khan, he smacked the very first ball for a six, followed by a four.
Rahane then guided the short ball past the short third man for another four. Arshad Khan then bowled a back-of-a-length delivery and Rahane cracked that one off his back four for another four.
The fifth one was a fuller delivery and Rahane timed the ball to perfection as the ball raced away for a boundary at long off. He took 22 runs from that over and ruined MI’s plans to start well, leaving Rohit Sharma frustrated.
India’s former Test captain didn’t stop there. In the next over, he smashed Chris Green for a six while dispatching the length ball to the stands.
Two consecutive boundaries to Piyush Chawla meant Ajinkya Rahane reached his half-century in just 19 deliveries. With that, he also became the fastest to score a half-century in Indian Premier League 2023. He, eventually, got out after scoring 61 runs in 27 balls, including 7 fours and 3 sixes at a strike rate of 225.
Fans have been in awe of Ajinkya Rahane’s top-class knock. Here’s a look at some of the reactions:
— Himanshu Pareek (@Sports_Himanshu) April 8, 2023
19 ball 50 for Rahane .. pic.twitter.com/IKDAbZfWNf
— Shantanu (@07shantanu_) April 8, 2023
CSK can even make rahane play like prime kohli
— Nisanth (@27_nisanth) April 8, 2023
He is a class player , can be included in the WTC finals playing eleven
— Jayasankar Kuruppal (@JKuruppal) April 8, 2023
He is my dream 11 captain ?
But, i am #MumbaiIndians fan ?— Abhee ? (@theinswinger45) April 8, 2023
"Blud took Pujara's hundred for Sussex personally" ? pic.twitter.com/QKfVP9Lmc6
— Rahul Sharma (@CricFnatic) April 8, 2023
Out of syllabus performance
— ??????? (@shwetha0811) April 8, 2023
Irfan pathan kya keh rha- kisne socha tha itni tej 50 Rahane marenge ?
Gjb beijtti hai?— Aditya Ray (@Adityar16433534) April 8, 2023
Pure class from this gem of a batsman
Very well done #Whistlepodu #MIvsCSK
— Instinct (@PSPKAdherent) April 8, 2023
Then there is chokli who scored 50 in 40 balls ?
— ? (@mujxxhid) April 8, 2023
Rohit 50 since 2021 April
— VISH (@ViratTilldeath) April 8, 2023
@SergioCSKK Epdi Namma prediction ? pic.twitter.com/krJLp7JBbb
— GODSON SAFIN (@GodsonSafin) April 8, 2023
Earlier, Mumbai Indians had managed to score 157 runs in the first innings. Ishan Kishan (32 off 21), Tim David (31 off 22), and Rohit Sharma (21 off 13) got the starts but none of them could convert that into a big score.
For CSK, Ravindra Jadeja was the pick of the bowlers as he picked up three wickets for 20 runs in 4 overs.
