The highly anticipated match between the Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings ultimately ended in a one-sided contest, which was an anticlimax. With Ravindra Jadeja demolishing the home team with his bowling and catches, it never quite lived up to the touted levels of blockbuster status. However, there was a really interesting subtext to the game. It was a story about passion, grit, rebirth, and luck most of all. Sure, luck.
Ajinkya Rahane’s CSK debut at the Wankhede
An instant IPL classic 👌 👏 pic.twitter.com/CX4Bf3iFpc
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) April 9, 2023
Ajinkya Rahane, a seasoned veteran and former India captain who is currently banned from international cricket, rose from the ashes like the mythical phoenix, putting on a stunning show.The experts were amazed by how smooth and well-timed his shots were, which ended the home team’s chances of winning.
Rahane, a batsman who mostly uses touch play, hit the fastest fifty of the season so far in just 19 balls.It was a reminder of his long-lasting skills, which had been hidden for three years.After the game, when asked how he handled the demands of playing white-ball cricket, he replied, “Well, I could hit a six.” He really blasted three sixes in a 27-ball, 61-run inning, ending Mumbai’s chances of winning after Jason Behrendorff’s early breakthrough.
In addition to those sixes, he hit seven boundaries at just the right time, including four in a row, which were followed by a huge six as he kept his cool and showed confidence.
Ball by ball highlights of Ajinkya Rahane ‘s 61(27) vs MI at Wankhede stadium yesterday. What a comeback by Jinks. Vintage Rahane special💛pic.twitter.com/XLkrmqEi34
— Ananay Sethi (@Ananaysethi3) April 9, 2023
A blessing in disguise
Rahane’s opportunity was a blessing that materialised out of the blue. He approached the ground, anticipating another evening of warming the bench. However, the coach informed him just before the toss that he was in the starting lineup because Moeen Ali had food poisoning. One knock doesn’t make a comeback, and one swallow doesn’t make a summer, but those were the initial components for an amazing comeback narrative after a few franchises suffered the humiliation of being released. After lowering his reserve price from the previous year, which was INR 1 crore, the Chennai Super Kings purchased him at the auction last year at the basic price.
Welcome to daddies family Ajinkya Rahane 🦁
📸: Jio Cinema pic.twitter.com/1x0Vdfim1X
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) April 8, 2023
From the moment he faced his first ball, Rahane appeared to be on a mission. He nudged it in the direction of safety and stole a few. His first huge hit, which flew over fine leg, didn’t come for another five balls. There was no stopping after that. He smacked Arshad Khan for 23 runs in the fourth over, scoring in the following order: 6, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 1, Before achieving his half-century, the fastest in the IPL this season, he hit one more six and a few more boundaries. As a result, Chennai’s total quickly accelerated, and the game gradually turned into a lopsided contest.
According to Amol Muzumdar, the Mumbai coach who worked with Rahane for over five months during the domestic season, “the downswing of the bat has now become perfect.” Now, the bat descends more quickly.
He has put a lot of effort into that, and I can tell by the difference in his striking style. His timing has also gotten better. Few cricketers put in as much effort and maintain as much discipline as Ajinkya. He is now enjoying the rewards.
Rahane, though, gave the CSK management credit for his accomplishments. “Until now, I had only heard about the atmosphere in the Chennai team. Like a family, it It has helped that we had a successful preseason camp that lasted for a month.
Rahane received a compliment back from Dhoni, who expressed his joy for him. “We started talking immediately, and he asked me what I was seeking from him. I replied with what I had in mind. Although he does not consistently hit sixes, he is quite proficient technically. After their second consecutive victory of the season, the CSK captain commented, “I was extremely impressed with the manner in which he batted.