Ajinkya Rahane has reinvented himself as a T20 cricketer since joining Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Rahane who was not given enough chances at Delhi Capitals (DC) is in the T20 form of his life, striking at nearly 200 in five appearances. Former Indian pacer Dodda Ganesh is in awe of Rahane as he praised him for a scintillating unbeaten 29-ball 71 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. However, he also took a dig at Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper KL Rahul who has been under the scanner for his primitive strike rate in new age of T20 cricket.
“Rahane he has shown that with intent you can do wonders. If only KL Rahul understood this,” Ganesh wrote in a tweet.
Batting at no.3, Rahane smashed 71 runs from just 29 balls at a strike rate of 244.83. His knock was studded with six fours and five sixes. His knock helped CSK post 235/4, the highest total of the ongoing season. MS Dhoni-led CSK beat Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by a comfortable margin of 49 runs.
“(I) 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. 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,” Rahane said in the post-match presentation.
On the other hand, Rahul failed to take his team over the line in a low-scoring run chase against Gujarat Titans (GT). Rahul scored 68 runs from 61 balls at a strike rate of 111.48 and got out in the final over as GT won by seven runs. The result was shocking as at one point, LSG needed 31 runs from 36 deliveries with nine wickets in hand.
“I don't know how it happened, but it has happened. I can't put a finger on where it went wrong, but we lost 2 points today, this is cricket. I thought we were brilliant with the ball, 135 was 10 runs under par, the bowling was exceptional, we started well with the bat, but these things happen, we'll have to take it on the chin,” Rahul said after the loss.
Rahul was criticised by many including former Indian pacer Venkatesh Prasad for his inability to finish the game and letting the pressure get the better of him.
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