RR vs CSK: "We Have Just Seen Exactly The T20 Skills That He Has Got Since He Moved To CSK" - Shane Watson On Ajinkya Rahane
Published - 27 Apr 2023, 11:25 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:15 AM
Former Australian cricketer Shane Watson lavished rich praise on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Ajinkya Rahane. He recalled how he used to play with him in the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and said that the batter became more timid after he got into the Indian setup.
Ajinkya Rahane, who played for Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the early phase of his career in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has set the stage on fire in the ongoing 16th edition of the league. Playing for Chennai Super Kings, the right-hander has looked a class apart.
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Ajinkya Rahane has mustered 205 runs from just five games so far. Not only this he has also smashed two half-centuries and what has been astonishing is his strike rate of 199.05. He has timed the ball to perfection and has earned praise from everyone.
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Shane Watson highlighted how Ajinkya Rahane’s game changed after he became part of the Indian setup. He also added that he has shown his T20 skills to everyone ever since he joined CSK. Speaking on the YouTube channel ‘The Grade Cricketer’, he said:
“He played with me at Rajasthan Royals. When he first started playing, he dominated. He opened the batting and he used to take bowlers down. Then within a year or two, he got into the Indian setup and became a bit more timid.”
“It was more around just scoring runs instead of just taking bowlers down. We have just seen exactly the T20 skills that he has got since he moved to CSK.”
RR vs CSK: Shane Watson hopes Ajinkya Rahane can bat with freedom in the Tests
After being out of the Indian team for over 18 months, Ajinkya Rahane made a comeback to the team as he was recalled to the Indian side for the ICC WTC Final. He scored 634 runs from 11 innings in the Ranji Trophy and his form in the IPL came in his favour.
Shane Watson feels that Rahane has struggled to find his place in the team due to the freedom but he needs to bat free in the WTC Final. He said:
“He [Ajinkya Rahane] struggled to get a team over the last six to eight years consistently because he just lost that freedom. Then you see what he has done for CSK, it’s absolutely incredible. That’s what happens when you sort of hold yourself back.”
“Then, when you get your own way around the mental side of the game and just be free and take the game on, then you really show your true skill. He has been picked, and hopefully, he can bat with that freedom in Test cricket.”
Ajinkya Rahane is currently the main batter in the middle order for CSK and if the team have to fancy their chances of winning he needs to fire.
Also Read: RR vs CSK: Revealed – Why Trent Boult Is Not Playing Today’s IPL 2023 Match vs Chennai Super Kings
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Ankitjit is an author at Cricketaddictor. He has been working with the organization since April 2023... Read more
