IPL 2023: Aakash Chopra Applauds Ajinkya Rahane for a Stunning Knock vs KKR

Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has praised Ajinkya Rahane for his blazing knock in the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) win in their IPL 2023 match against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Rahane smashed an unbeaten 71 off just 29 balls as CSK posted a mammoth 236-run target for KKR at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday, April 23.

Their bowlers then restricted KKR to 186/8 to help the visitors register a 49-run win as well. With this, they move atop the IPL 2023 points table also. In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra stated that Rahane has shown a different calibre of his game in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League. He also added that Rahane has proved everyone wrong.

“The Player of the Match was not Conway, it was Ajinkya Rahane. Ajinkya Rahane scored a fifty off 19 balls at the Wankhede and then he batted differently here. It was like boosters were attached to the bat. We have never seen Ajinkya Rahane hit so many sixes and fours,” Aakash Chopra explained. “Ajju, what happened my brother? We all felt, including me, that the best is behind him in terms of his T20 career. It is not that he has not scored runs. He has scored centuries but it seemed he would not be able to do it now.”

IPL 2023: CSK placed at the top of the points table after the convincing win over KKR

However, Ajinkya Rahane smashed six fours and five sixes and also added 85 runs for the third wicket with Shivam Dube (50 off 21) in a little over five overs as well to help CSK win with ease. Meanwhile, Aakash Chopra also added that many thought that Ajinkya Rahane should play in county cricket instead of playing in the IPL. The veteran also applauded CSK for extracting the best from their players.

“Kolkata also felt that way and that is why they let him go as well. A lot of us believed that it will be better for Ajju if he goes and plays county because he can make a comeback into the Indian team from there. What has Ajju done this year and what does Chennai do with their players – it is incredible. It is now certain that Chennai brings the best out of people,” Aakash Chopra concluded.