Many questioned Ajinkya Rahane’s World Test Championship final selection. For a player who spent the greater part of the previous 18 months in total wilderness with global cricket without any basic clue on Rahane’s agenda, the selection shocked many and accused the selectors for taking a choice based on his astonishing return in IPL 2023.
Rahane silenced his detractors on Friday with a spectacular 89 runs in the World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval. He gave Chennai Super Kings a million-dollar credit after the knock.
Rahane had an IPL season no fan could have imagined. Dhoni sees T20 potential in the experienced Indian. In an interview, CSK CEO Kasi Vishwanathan said Dhoni was insistent about signing Rahane for the 2023 season, which changed his career.
Friday’s 89-run knock silenced Rahane’s detractors.
Rahane scored 326 runs at 172.49 with two fifties in 14 games. It helped CSK win a record-tying sixth IPL title, but Rahane was overlooked for the WTC final.
Rahane validated his India selection a fortnight after CSK won the championship. Rahane’s 89 and century partnership with Shardul Thakur denied India a follow-on when the side was four down for 71 runs chasing Australia’s massive first-innings total.
“Was there an influence of Chennai Super Kings in that knock?” wondered former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh on Star Sports after the Day 3 knock. “Yes,” Rahane said. I loved CSK.”
Later, former India head coach Ravi Shastri hailed Rahane’s CSK IPL season for his improved return.
He kept playing domestic cricket. waited for his chance, and I think this IPL has liberated him. It’s helped him play freely. Mind cobwebs are gone. “He plays naturally,” Shastri observed.