IPL 2022 | Rahane still has 5-10 years of international cricket left in him: David Hussey

Touted as one the best squads picked in this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL)’s mega auction, Kolkata Knight Riders are all set to commence their campaign against Ravindra Jadeja’s Chennai on March 26. 

Led by Shreyas Iyer, Kolkata have ticked all the boxes present but one of the major headaches for the team management is to find Venkatesh Iyer’s opening partner. 

After releasing Shubham Gill, the two-time champions bought the services of England’s Alex Hales. However, the T20 specialist withdrew his name from the tournament citing bubble fatigue. 

The Englishman was later replaced by Australia’s white-ball skipper, Aaron Finch, who can be a nice bet to open the innings, but he is likely to miss the team's first few games as they are currently touring Pakistan for the ongoing series.

KKR, however, also bought Ajinkya Rahane at the mega auction. The former India Test vice-captain can also be an option to open. But he has been going through a lean patch in Test cricket, the only format he has been playing for quite some time now.

Adding salt on the wounds, Rahane was removed as vice-captain and eventually dropped from the team for the recently-concluded Test series against Sri Lanka.

However, Hussey believes Rahane will do well, and his experience of having led Rajasthan Royals in the past will also help Shreyas Iyer in the new season.

"He's been a class player for over a decade, he's dominated for Rajasthan Royals, and I believe he has at least 5-10 years of international cricket left in him. He might not be scoring the runs he wants recently, but the way he is training, he's going to dominate in the IPL and also, he's a leader amongst the group," he again added.

KKR, who ended last season as runner up, will look to begin this season on a high note and end it with lifting the silverware. However, for that to happen, the backroom staff will have to unpuzzle a few problems before their curtain-raiser.