Chennai Super Kings’ number three Ajinkya Rahane continued his purple patch as he scored a fine unbeaten knock of 71 runs off just 29 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Sunday. Rahane’s blitzkrieg knock helped CSK post a gargantuan score of 235 runs – the highest in the IPL at Eden Gardens – on the board after they were asked to bat first by KKR skipper Nitish Rana.
Rahane has been batting at his absolute best in the ongoing IPL 2023 and he was once again able to get off the blocks in a jiffy. Rahane added 85 runs off just 32 balls with Shivam Dube, in which the latter did the lion’s share of the scoring.
Rahane has scored 209 runs in five matches of the ongoing IPL 2023 at an average of 52.25 and a strike rate of 199.04, which is the best among the top 20 run-getters of the tournament. In fact, Rahane was not known to score at a brisk pace in T20 cricket but he has been seen in a totally different avatar while donning CSK’s yellow jersey.
Rahane feels his best is yet to come and he will be looking to keep up the good show in the upcoming matches for MS Dhoni’s led team.
The Mumbai batter was awarded the Player of the Match for his blistering knock against KKR. He said in the post-match presentation, “Just had a clear mindset. If the thing between your ears is right, your mind is right then you’ll be fine. I’m just trying to enjoy my game. The wicket was a bit sticky, but once you are in you have a great chance.”
He added, “We had a great start, and after that I wanted to play my shots and keep the momentum. I’ve enjoyed all my knocks so far, I still feel the best is yet to come. It is a great learning, I’ve played under Mahi bhai for India for many years, and now even at CSK it has been a great learning. If you listen to whatever he says, you will more often than not perform.”
It is palpable that Rahane is batting with a free mind and he has been given clarity and freedom by MS Dhoni and Messrs. Rahane would want to carry the same for CSK in the upcoming matches as this is the best he has ever batted in T20 cricket.
Chennai Super Kings will next take on Rajasthan Royals on Thursday at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium, Jaipur.
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