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Last few months have been good for Ajinkya Rahane. He turned 35 last month and after being dropped from the Indian team earlier, he made a stunning comeback with a brilliant domestic season as well as a stellar IPL for Chennai Super Kings. After being released by Kolkata Knight Riders, Rahane was picked up by MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings during the IPL 2023 auction. Initially, he didn’t get many opportunities to play, but when he finally did, he showed a transformed version of himself. Rahane was at his best in the IPL this year, with his strike rate of 172.49 surpassing his previous best in 2019.
Ajinkya Rahane also had a successful domestic season for Mumbai and his exceptional performances in the IPL as well as injuries to key players KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer paved the way for his return to the Indian team after more than a year. He was selected for India’s team in the WTC finals.
India lost to Australia in the WTC final but Ajinkya Rahane was one of the stars with the bat in the first innings with a brilliant 89 which proved he still has a lot in him.
Ajinkya Rahane is now the vice-captain of the team once again for the Test tour of the West Indies. At the press conference, when Rahane was asked about being made vice-captain at his age, he replied with a bit of annoyance, “What do you mean at this age? I still have a lot of cricket left in me.”
Ajinkya Rahane also said that he had a good season in the IPL and has gained a lot of confidence after scoring runs in domestic cricket. He further said that in the last year and a half, he has devoted a lot of time to improving his fitness.
At the moment, I am enjoying the kind of cricket I am playing and am not looking too far ahead. Ajinkya Rahane said, each match is important individually as well as for the team.
Ajinkya Rahane says West Indies are not being underestimated
Although West Indies could not qualify for the ICC World Cup 2023, Ajinkya Rahane is not undermining them, especially considering the fact that they are formidable opponents on home soil in Test cricket.
He said, ‘We are not taking West Indies lightly at all. We don’t know much about external noise. His performance on the home ground in Test cricket has been very good. Ajinkya Rahane said, our focus will be on backing our strengths and playing good cricket.
