Ajinkya Rahane: KKR vs CSK: IPL 2023 Live: Scoop, reverse sweep, whip — Ajinkya Rahane enthralled fans at the Eden Gardens with breath-taking shots en route 29-ball 71-run against his former employees Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday. Considered a Test specialist, the former KKR batter had field-day after being discarded by the Men in Purple. But Rahane has reincarnated in a whole new avatar under MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings as the veteran proved once again with stunning to put CSK in the driver’s seat against KKR. Follow Indian Premier League 2023 LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
The fans witnessed a new version of Rahane in a CSK jersey as the batter played some stunning shots during his innings, including reverse sweep and scoop which was unlikely of the orthodox player.
Fans were left positively stunned by Rahane’s comeback in the later stages of his career and called him an ‘inspiration’.
Ajinkya Rahane is living breathing proof to never write anyone off, self belief is everything.
— Ethical Joker (Perry’s version) (@Jokeresque_) April 23, 2023
KKR spinners are ready with their mystery. But we have biggest mystery of the season so far, Ajinkya Rahane.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) 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
— 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐂𝐒𝐊 (@SergioCSKK) April 23, 2023
🗣️ – Hey bro what’s the score?
🗣️ – It’s 230 and a guy is batting on 71* (29)
🗣️ – Ohh, It must be Moeen, Dube, Conway or Jadeja.
🗣️ – No, It’s Ajinkya Rahane who is on 71*(29)
🗣️ – What tf!! pic.twitter.com/PeAtNhnuYV
— Pratham. (@76thHundredWhxn) April 23, 2023
Shivam Dube and Ajinkya Rahane under MS Dhoni: pic.twitter.com/hmEoWVChq1
— Shivani Shukla (@iShivani_Shukla) April 23, 2023
Rahane has scored 209 runs off five matches this season at a strike rate of over 180.
Over the past three IPL seasons, Rahane saw his stature decrease as a T20 batter. After losing his captaincy at Rajasthan Royals in 2019 and leaving the team, Rahane then had three disappointing seasons at Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders. His performance in Tests also saw a sharp decline resulting in his being dropped from the Test side at the beginning of 2022.
While many fans weren’t expecting Rahane to play for CSK this season, the 34-year-old has proved that after all age is just a number.
The batter will be eyeing a Test comeback in the absence of Shreyas Iyer, with the World Test Championship final to be played at the Oval in June.
Follow InsideSport on GOOGLE NEWS / Follow IPL 2023 Live Updates with InsideSport.IN.