IPL 2023: “Whatever He Says, You Listen” – Ajinkya Rahane Praises MS Dhoni’s Captaincy

Veteran Chennai Super Kings batter Ajinkya Rahane, who is playing under the captaincy of MS Dhoni for the first time in the IPL this season, also shared how “great” the experience has been for him. Rahane also added that whenever the keeper-batter speaks, people drop everything to listen to him only as well.

Ajinkya Rahane also continued his sublime form in IPL 2023 on Sunday, smashing an unbeaten 71 against the Kolkata Knight Riders in a 49-run win for his side. His 29-ball knock, which came at a stunning strike rate of 244.82 as CSK registered the highest total of the season (235), took his tally to 209 runs from five matches as well.

When he was asked what has worked for him this season, Ajinkya Rahane said that a clear mindset and pre-tournament preparations have played a key role for him as well. The right-handed batter also shared that he tried to target the short side of the ground as well.

“Just a clear mindset and nothing else,” Ajinkya Rahane said in the post-match presentation after CSK’s win over KKR. “If that’s right, you can do anything and so just wanted to keep my mind clear. The prep before the season was very good. Ball was stopping and the pitch was a little sticky, but the outfield was fast and one side was small. Ruturaj batted very well and I just wanted to be positive.”

IPL 2023: “I enjoyed all the knocks this season and I feel my best is yet to come” – Ajinkya Rahane

While talking about playing under MS Dhoni, he said: “I enjoyed all the knocks this season and I feel my best is yet to come. Great learning to play under MS. Played under him at India and playing under him at CSK for the first time. Whatever he says, you listen.”

However, CSK’s match-winning total (235) was laid by the 73-run stand between Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway. After that, Ajinkya Rahane and Shivam Dube played a ferocious knock, adding 85 runs as well. With the ball, Matheesha Pathirana and Tushar Deshpande picked up two wickets each to restrict the Knight Riders to 186/8. The fifties from Jason Roy and Rinku Singh during the run-chase went in vain for the hosts as they eventually lost.

Ajinkya Rahane, who has nearly scored 5000 Test runs, last played in the format in January 2022 during the South Africa tour as well. He could only manage 136 runs in three Tests in that series, leading to his omission from the side as well.