Ajinkya Rahane has been in terrific form so far with the bat for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2023. He has shown an attacking nature while playing for CSK. So, all eyes were on him once again as CSK locked horns with KKR on 23 April at Eden Gardens. In IPL 2022, Rahane was a part of KKR.
He scored 133 runs in seven matches, at an average of 19 and a strike rate of 103.91. So, KKR did not retain him and CSK bought him for only INR 50 Lakhs. Before the KKR clash, Rahane scored 138 runs in four matches. Against Mumbai Indians, Ajinkya Rahane scored fifty off just 19 balls.
Ajinkya Rahane hit five sixes against KKR at Eden Gardens
After that knock, Rahane said: “I was playing in Mumbai after a long time... I know this wicket really well. When we were bowling, we got an idea how the wicket was behaving. How fast or slow was it. When I walked in, I was telling myself that I should watch the ball and play to the merit of the delivery. I had prepared well, so there were no doubts about that”. Speaking of the match against KKR, Nitish Rana won the toss and opted to bowl first. CSK had a great start and lost their first wicket for 73 runs in 7.3 overs. Then, Rahane came out at number three.
Ajinkya Rahane took charge against all KKR bowlers and ripped them apart with some glorious shots. He and Shivam Dube put up a partnership of 85 runs for the third wicket. But, Rahane continued his power hitting and remained not out on 71* runs off just 29 balls. He hit six fours and five sixes. Rahane notched up fifty from just 24 balls. His innings helped CSK to score 235 runs for four wickets in 20 overs. Seeing such a devastating knock from the former KKR batter, fans went crazy and shared their views on the social media platform.
Here are some shared tweets:
Beta kkr mein the bat se ball ka connection hi nhi tha aur dekho aaj .. last match... But such mein old is gold
— Ali Sufiyan (@AliSufi75321664) April 23, 2023
Isko WTC final ka ticket Banta hsi
— pradeep singh karki (@deepkarki) April 23, 2023
Ajinkya Rahane changed from Dravid to Sehwag in matter of months.
— Satyam Singh (@MyFreakyTweets) April 23, 2023
What a Player 👏 pic.twitter.com/jpQqO3AmwC
— Pratham (@Pratham7340) April 23, 2023
Rahane ko world cup khilao bhai
— cricket is love 🤩 (@Sarandeep__) April 23, 2023
Who says no?
Forget WTC lets bring this Man in T-20 side in place of KL and Dhoni as a coach so he can play with same intent 😂😂
— CA Anshul Aggarwal (@anshulaggarwall) April 23, 2023
What a redemption for Jinx bhai. 😍
— DK (@CricCrazyDK) April 23, 2023
Perfect no.4 for wtc and perfect no.3 for wc
— unknown user (@tamilan_jr) April 23, 2023
Rahane is knocking the doors for WTC final
— Tom Gravestone (@Whygravestone) April 23, 2023