Scintillating efforts by old warhorses Ajinkya Rahane (61 runs) and Ravindra Jadeja (3/20) helped Chennai Super Kings beat Mumbai Indians by seven wickets in a marquee league match of the IPL 2023 at a packed Wankhede Stadium, here on Saturday.
Set a modest 158 for victory, CSK romped home with 11 balls to spare on a humid night.
Veteran Rahane, who has represented numerous IPL teams over the years, rolled back the clock, reaching his half-century off only 19 balls, to record this season's fastest 50 in the league. The other in-form batter Ruturaj Gaikwad batted watchfully to remain unbeaten on 40 (36b, 2x4, 1x6).
The win took CSK to two wins from three games, while MI, the five-time IPL champions, are yet to open their account after back-to-back losses.
"It all boils down to how badly you want to play and how hungry you are to play. I always aim to play and contribute to my team's cause. Especially when I came to know that CSK had bid for me, I was happy. I had heard a lot about the atmosphere in the dressing room. But when I came here, I actually experienced it. It is a wonderful atmosphere. That helps a player relax. Mahi bhai (M S Dhoni) gives every player the freedom to play," Rahane told JioCinema, the official digital broadcasters of the IPL 2023.
Speaking about Rahane's batting, Suresh Raina, one of CSK's all-time greats, and a JioCinema IPL expert this season, said: "This is the strength of the yellow jersey! As we discussed mid-innings, both Rahane and Ruturaj are players from Mumbai and Maharashtra respectively and understand these pitches very well. So, they used the opportunity very well. This will be a sweet headache for Mahi bhai when Moeen Ali returns to the fold."
Meanwhile, former India wicket-keeper batter Parthiv Patel said that no one would have expected the fastest 50 of the IPL 2023 from Rahane.
"No one would have expected that the fastest 50 of the IPL would come from Ajinkya Rahane, even though he has the batting ability and bats really well. But, a 50 in 19 balls is something no one would have thought of, especially after how he has batted in the last few years," Patel said.
:The way he batted against Arshad Khan in that over today where he struck 6, 4, 4,4, 4, we got to see all types of shots from him. If you look at his wagon wheel too you will see he scored all around the park," he added.
Patel recalled Rahane's struggles during the IPL in the past few years, saying: "Throughout the innings it never looked like Rahane was taking risks. He always looked in control. He would be really happy because there was a stamp on him that he can't bat in T20s. Because in the last two years, once he remained unsold and Delhi released him once. So, in that context he would be thrilled with his performance."
Man-of-the-match Jadeja and his spin bowling partner Mitchell Santner (2/28) too came in for high praise from Raina.
"Jadeja is bringing all his experience into play. The partnership that he has had with Santner looks very strong. The way Jadeja got Tilak Varma out showed that he is bowling with great discipline. Also, the (return) catch he took shows how positive a frame of mind he is in," said Raina.
