Former India Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane continued with his current form in the ongoing IPL against Kolkata Knight Riders. In the ongoing game against his former team, the right-hander made them pay at Eden Gardens. Since Rahane’s debut with the CSK team against arch-rivals Mumbai Indians, he has been unstoppable. So far, he has managed scores of 61, 31, 37, and 9 before the ongoing game.
In the ongoing game, the three-time Border-Gavaskar Trophy winner came out to bat after the team had a great start. The opening pair, Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad smashed 73 runs in 7.3 overs before the latter got after scoring 35 off 20 balls. Rahane kept the scoring rate going alongside the New Zealand international. Both added another 36 off 28 balls with Conway getting out after scoring 56 off 40 balls.
After this, Rahane was joined by Shivam Dube and both put together 85 in just 32 balls. The latter got 50 off 21 balls including two fours and five sixes. On the other hand, Rahane stayed not out after getting 71 off just 29 balls including six fours and five sixes. With Ravindra Jadeja (18) playing a cameo as well, the team amassed 235/4, the highest total for the team and in the ongoing season across all teams.
During this inning, the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy-winning skipper played a couple of innovative shots. The Mumbaikar played a scoop shot over short fine leg and a reverse scoop over short third man.
Ajinkya Rahane helped me strike the ball well: Shivam Dube
After the end of the first innings, Dube spoke to the broadcasters of the tournament. He said that batting with Rahane helped him play his shots and maintained his shape. The left-hander also praised the strike rotation of Rahane. At the time of writing, the home team, Knight Riders have lost two wickets and scored 24 runs in four overs.
“Jinks was rotating the strike and being with him helps you play better and maintain your shape. Definitely, with our bowling, it’s more than enough,” Shivam Dube in the mid-game show with the broadcaster.
This is how Twitter reacted
Shivam Dube and Ajinkya Rahane under MS Dhoni: pic.twitter.com/hmEoWVChq1
— Shivani Shukla (@iShivani_Shukla) April 23, 2023
MS Dhoni watching Shivam Dube and Ajinkya Rahane pic.twitter.com/BYZCzYeayR
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) April 23, 2023
We ve turned Ajinkya Rahane from a dependable test batter to probably one if the best Indian batters this IPL. At this point i wont be suprised if he scores a 40 ball 100 in this season at some point? pic.twitter.com/6s7rr3Al3C
— ????????? (@SergioCSKK) April 23, 2023
One of the greatest comebacks of all times..
Throw me to the wolves and I will come back leading the pack ??#AjinkyaRahane pic.twitter.com/O0DMy4nvEL
— Anuj Nitin Prabhu (@APTalksCricket) April 23, 2023
Never in my life I thought I’ll see this sight and it’s beautiful.
I dunno what future has to offer but Ajinkya Rahane may have got the closure he needed.
As fans, we all saw him struggle to core and this IPL season has been personal for him. #KKRvCSK pic.twitter.com/WpwZjP1FqE— Shrutika Gaekwad (@Shrustappen33) April 23, 2023
Ajinkya Rahane – the champion!
Fifty in just 24 balls – his 2nd fifty in this season, he's made an impact for CSK in almost every match. pic.twitter.com/33vyZCT02g
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 23, 2023
After watching Ajinkya Rahane's batting. pic.twitter.com/uJgboofNDC
— Arun Singh (@ArunTuThikHoGya) April 23, 2023
Ajinkya Rahane in CSK under MS Dhoni’s captaincy pic.twitter.com/P3cUagI813
— Pakchikpak Raja Babu (@HaramiParindey) April 23, 2023
From Test Captaincy to T20,
Ajinkya Rahane is way better than Virat Kohli.Virat Kohli at Ajinkya Rahane at
his home ground an away ground pic.twitter.com/tnCk7ML2Fo— ???????? (@Hydrogen_45) April 23, 2023
This is a really impressive transformation in T20 batting by Ajinkya Rahane. I didn’t know he had all this in his “bag”. A great lesson that transformation can take place even at a later stage once the mind is willing and the attitude follows.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) April 23, 2023
