IPL Gave Indian Players A Platform To Express Themselves, Says Ajinkya Rahane Rebuking Dale Steyn’s Claims

India’s Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane rebuked claims of former South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn, who said that he finds more focus on cricket in T20 leagues like the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the Sri Lanka Premier League (SLPL), while in the Indian Premier League (IPL) the focus is more on how much a player was bought in the auction.

Steyn who is playing for Quetta Gladiators in the PSL said that he is skipping the IPL 2021, as he finds playing in PSL or SLPL more rewarding as a player than playing in the IPL. Steyn said the big squads and “so many big names” at the IPL take the attention away from the cricket as more emphasis is given on the amount of money players earn.

Dale Steyn was part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for IPL 2020 where he played 3 games and was benched for the rest of the season and was released ahead of the IPL 2021 auction.

I Am Not Sure What Dale Steyn Has Said, But IPL Has Given A Lot Of Players A Good Platform To Express Themselves: Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane, who had been part of many IPL franchises like Rajasthan Royals, Mumbai Indians, Rising Pune Supergiant, and Delhi Capitals, said that the Indian Premier League has presented the local Indian players a great platform and said that he didn’t know what Dale Steyn had in mind while giving that statement.

“See, I am here to talk about the fourth Test match and not here to talk about PSL or Sri Lanka Premier League. IPL gave us that platform to express ourselves and also to a lot of Indians players. I am not sure what Dale Steyn has said, I am here to talk about this Test match,” said Rahane during a virtual press conference.

Dale Steyn had said that he likes playing in PSL or SLPL as they have a focus on cricket instead of money and finds it more rewarding as a player. Hence he said that he wanted to stay away from all the money talk in IPL this year and wanted to focus on cricket.

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