'CSK Told Me To...': Ajinkya Rahane Credits IPL Franchise For SMAT Form

Soumyajit Dutta

Ajinkya Rahane credited CSK for his new version in T20 cricket [Source: @Cricdomestic_/X.com]Ajinkya Rahane credited CSK for his new version in T20 cricket [Source: @Cricdomestic_/X.com]

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Ajinkya Rahane, the in-form thrasher in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and once synonymous with elegant, and patient batting, has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years. He's emerged as a potent T20 opener, leaving a trail of destruction in his current SMAT outings.

The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024 has been a testament to Rahane's reinvention. The 36-year-old Mumbai-born, however, credits most of this T20 success to his CSK stint in IPL.

From Test Titan To T20 Terror; Rahane Opens Up On CSK's Role

The seeds of Ajinkya Rahane's transformation were sown during his stint with Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2023. Under the guidance of MS Dhoni, Rahane embraced a more aggressive approach, culminating in a strike rate of 172.48 as CSK clinched the title.

"CSK simply told me to play my natural game. It was never about, 'You play an anchor role and others will play around you'. (From) other teams, the message for me was, 'Play till 15-16 overs and others will play around you'. That's why I was playing with a strike rate of 120-130. But the last two years have really helped me a lot in the shorter format," Rahane said, following his blistering 98 off 56 balls against Baroda.

Rahane now impressed with his recent performances, including scores of 98, 84, and 95, which have been nothing short of spectacular. His 56-ball 98 in the semifinal against Baroda was a masterclass in aggressive knocks, as he maintains an average strike rate of 169.41 in SMAT.

Speaking further, Rahane revealed his intent behind playing each ball and how he approaches his inning in the T20 format.

"For me, it's always about timing the ball. But at the same time, having that intent from ball number one. And it's always about the extension of my defence - all the shots. So I'm just focusing on that."

At 36, Rahane may be nearing the end of his playing career, but his passion for the game remains undiminished. Despite his last international appearance being in July 2023, the desire to represent India once again continues to burn bright.

"My love for cricket keeps me going. The fire within me to don the Indian jersey still burns strong."

Rahane will continue his T20 journey with Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2025, having been acquired at his base price of INR 1.5 crore and might also be in strong contention for the captaincy role after his smoking hot form in SMAT.