Rahane adapts and delivers amidst woes

THE air surrounding veteran batter Ajinkya Rahane is usually that of flair, composure, and sedateness. Leading the India team on a few occasions, he has carved himself a place in the history of Indian cricket, especially after winning the Test match at the Gabba in Australia.

- CHANDRA PRABHU @Chennai

Cut to the later part of 2024, Rahane ended his Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) as the top run-getter, with a strike rate more than 170 while playing for Mumbai. He had justified the IPL holders Kolkata Knight Riders' late scoop in the mega auction for ₹1.50 crore.

Although the KKR skipper is the franchise's top-run getter this season, his strike rate has reached nowhere near the levels of SMAT. This could be because of KKR openers not building the platform for him to play his natural game.