Ajinkya Rahane in Midst of a Vital Career Resurgence

image-lgm1jhhyRahane's 37 off 20 gave CSK momentum (AP Photo)

A few days back, when Ajinkya Rahane was asked by a leading Indian news daily about what he thinks about a possible chance of making it to the Indian Team once again, he didn’t have much to say. 

He didn’t wax lyrical, nor did he give an elaborate answer that would stun the opinion makers or critics. 

He simply said, “I won’t give up!”

Four simple words. That’s about it. 

This wasn’t a statement offered with any pomposity of expression. This wasn’t in anyway whatsoever a brash statement either. 

It was sheer self-belief. It echoed the confidence that was coming from a wise man of Indian Cricket who’s pretty much seen it all. A man who still, by the looks of it, has plenty to offer and isn’t done yet. 

At 34, where given the testing waters that are Indian Cricket, many would conveniently lend their professional expertise to a sports media company given there isn’t much of a chance with a team whose embedded DNA is that of the youth, Ajinkya Rahane is beginning all over again. 

His batting is oozing fire for the Chennai Super Kings much to the chagrin of the opposing bowlers. 

He’s a busy man and has loads to do. 

But from what’s evident at the moment, there is a marked difference between the Ajinkya Rahane in the initial editions of the Indian Premier League and the one we are seeing in the Dhoni-led CSK outfit of 2023. 

The Rahane of the yesteryears in the IPL was Rajasthan Royals’ dependable opener. Not always fluent. Not always aggressive, his main purpose back then was to lend stability to a side that relied heavily on a few players; the others being Shane Watson, Steve Smith, Kevon Cooper and James Faulkner. 

But the Rahane we are seeing now is one who is a no-nonsense campaigner, a batter who leaves nothing to chance.

His job isn’t to only add tempt to a Chennai innings; his main job is to simply take the attack back to the opposition. 

And it really doesn’t matter who squares up against the whirring blade of the right-hander, whether his former franchise Rajasthan Royals, old enemy Mumbai Indians or as seen last evening, the Royal Challengers Bangalore. 

A few hours back, there was an element of thrill and evident palpability in the voice of Kevin Pietersen as he donned the mic and narrated the action-packed sequences surrounding Chennai’s brutal number three. 

And it was for all to note. 

“Rahane is an exceptionally good batsman.” “He’s one of the quiet greats of the IPL.” 

“He’s a very accomplished batter!”

As high praise enveloped all things, Rahane, the right-handed number three hit the roof of the Chinnaswamy against a length delivery bowled by Vyshak. 

Seconds later, he‘d charge down the track to Wayne Parnell, hitting the experienced campaigner towards cover for a luscious boundary.

Yet another six was offered to the South African the moment the left-hander strayed down the leg side; all Rahane was to do was to artfully lift the ball towards the square leg. 

The end result being another six. 

This time, Sanjay Manjrekar exclaimed, “Ajinkya Rahane is on fire here.”

And soon there emerged a swathe of tweets that were perhaps on point, “CSK bought Rahane for 50 lakhs but he’s doing the job of 3 crores,” they opined. 

These 37 finely constructed runs were enough indication that Rahane means business. Each time he’ll go out- and he’s already shown Mumbai the ire of his bat- he’ll take his chances and go for the kill. 

The man whose India career seemed sabotaged is pretty much playing the saboteur this time around. 

And Chennai have plenty of games left in the bank. 

Talks have already begun about whether India may want to include the Test match specialist in the much-waited June-bound World Test championship final. 

And while that’s still a few weeks away, what’s here and in its full wake is Rahane with a newfound belief and intent. 

For now, it’s all looking good for the Mumbai man.