At the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday, Chennai Super Kings defeated Mumbai Indians by seven wickets in match 12 of the IPL 2023. Ajinkya Rahane (61) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (40*), who both played excellent cricket, helped CSK to 159/3 in 18.1 overs while chasing a target of 158.
Although Ajinkya Rahane was not expected to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, he may have given the team management something to consider in his debut for his new team, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Rahane scored 61 runs in just 27 deliveries to help CSK easily chase down 158. The player’s stroke-filled innings, which included seven fours and three sixes, helped CSK earn their second victory of the year. Rahane discussed CSK’s game plan in the post-match conference.
The good domestic season helped a lot
CSK batter Ajinkya Rahane believes his domestic experience and practise at the CSK camp benefited him a lot after leading his side to victory against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai with the quickest fifty of the season (50 off 19).
“When I went in it was all about playing my normal game, back my strength. My preparation has been really good. I had a very good domestic season this year. It was all about grabbing this opportunity and I’m happy that I did really well,” Rahane said during the post-match conference.
I just want to be Ajinkya Rahane
“Every player is different, their strengths are different. I don’t want to be someone else, I just want to be Ajinkya Rahane. I know my strengths and my timings so I just want to back myself. It’s all about reminding myself that I can be Ajinkya Rahane and play like Ajinkya Rahane and as long as I can do that I’ll be fine,” he added.
The game plan and MS Dhoni’s Instruction
When discussing his strategy, he stated that he knew where the wicket was and added, “When we were bowling, I got an idea of how the wicket was playing so that helped me a lot while batting. When you are chasing 150-160, you have got to bat with intent in the first six overs. If you get a good start then it becomes really easy.’
When questioned about the captain of CSK, MS Dhoni,’s instructions before the game, Rahane said, “Instructions from him were pretty simple; just back your game. Play to your strengths other than trying to do something else.”
“I was really happy when I got to know CSK picked me. I had heard a lot about CSK’s atmosphere. It’s like a family,” he added about the team’s atmosphere.
Dhoni on Rahane’s performance
In a post-game interview, Chennai captain MS Dhoni also appreciated Rahane’s performance, saying, “Me and Jinx spoke at the start of the season and I told him to play to his strengths, use your ability to manipulate the fields. I told him to go and enjoy, don’t take stress and we’ll back you. He batted well and he was not happy with the way he got out, that says it all.”
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