Wasn't Getting Opportunities To Play One-Two Years Ago: Ajinkya Rahane Takes Dig At His Former Franchises

Rahane scored his second half-century of IPL 2023, where he scored an unbeaten 29-ball 71 to help CSK post 235/4 on way to their 49-run win over the Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday (April 23).

Chennai Super Kings batter Ajinkya Rahane plays a shot during the IPL 2023 cricket match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Sunday, April 23, 2023.

Source : PTI

Ajinkya Rahane, the Chennai Super Kings star, has been in sensational form ever since he has donned the Yellow Jersey. While he did not attract many bids and the four-time IPL winners only had to spend 50 lakhs to bag him in the team, the right-handed batter has proved to be a terrfic addition to the side with the batter having taken his T20 game to the next level in the ongoing edition of the competition.

The former Rajasthan Royals skipper scored his second half-century of IPL 2023, where he scored an unbeaten 29-ball 71 to help CSK post 235/4 on way to their 49-run win over the Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens on Sunday (April 23). The 34-year-old credited MS Dhoni's captaincy for the transformation in his batting but also took a sly dig at his former franchises.

"The only thing I tell you... I really enjoyed my knock, really happy that we won this match," Rahane said after the KKR vs CSK match.

"You get a chance to learn many things when you play under Mahi Bhai (MS Dhoni). As a batter and cricketer, you always want to grow," he said.

"The way the format is evolving, I feel as an individual you have to keep growing and developing your skills. My preparation has always been good. I always tried to improve myself, develop one or two new shots. Now I'm able to show my shots because of my preparation so far and the opportunity given my CSK," said Rahane.

"The turning point is here I'm getting chances to play. I was really happy when CSK picked me. They gave me opportunity to play and express myself," he stated.

Notably, Rahane was part of the Kolkata Knight Riders squad in IPL 2022. Before that he was part of the Delhi Capitals setup and his comments will surely add salt to the wounds of both these teams who seem to be struggling this season unlike Rahane who has accumulated 209 runs from five innings at an average of 52.25 and a strike rate of 199.04- the highest among specialist batters.