Ajinkya Rahane: The Unconventional Reinvention of an IPL Veteran
For a significant portion of his illustrious IPL career, Ajinkya Rahane was synonymous with stability – the anchor. Spanning 19 seasons, from the inaugural IPL in 2008 through to the anticipated 2026 edition, Rahane has graced six different franchises and participated in 212 matches. He currently holds the impressive eighth position on the tournament’s all-time run-scoring list, accumulating 5,367 runs at an average of 30.15 and a strike rate of 125.60.
Despite such remarkable longevity and consistent performance, Rahane had to patiently await 16 years to finally lift an IPL title. The pivotal moment arrived in 2023 when the Chennai Super Kings secured his services at his base price of Rs 50 lakh. At 35 years old, Rahane embarked on an extraordinary journey of self-reinvention, showcasing a style of batting rarely witnessed from him in the tournament’s history.
During that transformative season, Rahane amassed 326 runs for the MS Dhoni-led side. However, it was his strike rate that truly commanded attention. He struck at an astounding 172.48, a dramatic leap from his 103.90 strike rate just the previous year. Prior to 2023, Rahane had never achieved a strike rate of 140 or more in an IPL season, underscoring the magnitude of his transformation.
Reflecting on the earlier phase of his IPL career during The Indian Express’ Idea Exchange, Rahane elucidated how his team-assigned role had profoundly influenced his approach to the game.
“Before 2023, I think from 2019, when I left Rajasthan Royals then moved to Delhi Capitals and then KKR for a year, I think I hardly played. As a player, you always need that confidence. You need the surety to play with freedom. Before Delhi Capitals, I played for Rajasthan Royals for eight years and in between I played for RPSG. First three years I was with Mumbai Indians. So, it was always about the role that my team wanted me to play. I wanted to make that happen rather than going out of my role. So, the role that time was to be an anchor and then others will play around me. So, my strike at that time was around 120-130. And then I used to play till 15, 16, 17 overs, sometimes no till the end. But others were the attacking players around me.”
The genesis of this profound change predated Rahane’s arrival at the 2023 IPL season. His meticulous preparation during the two months leading up to the campaign proved instrumental. This intensive period allowed him to develop a more aggressive repertoire of shots and, critically, instilled in him the confidence to execute them effectively in match scenarios.
“When the shift happened in 2023 with CSK, I had a good two months of preparation. And then I started working a couple of the shots. I thought ‘This is the time I should reinvent myself, probably play freely.’ The opportunity came with CSK.”
That opportune moment materialized unexpectedly at the Wankhede Stadium on April 8, 2023. Rahane was not initially slated to be part of Chennai’s playing XI. However, an illness to Moeen Ali opened up a last-minute opportunity, and Rahane seized it with both hands, delivering one of the most explosive innings of his IPL career.
Walking onto his home ground, he unleashed a blistering 61 runs off a mere 27 balls, adorned with seven fours and three sixes. It was the first major glimpse of what quickly became known as Rahane 2.0.
“Actually, I was not playing in that game, but some injury happened. And then at the last minute I got an opportunity to play. When we had our camp, the CSK management had told me that whenever you will get an opportunity, we will back you completely. So, you just go out there and play freely. So, that one thing completely changed. I played with a fearless approach because I knew that even if I fail, they are going to back me. That opportunity came in Mumbai, where I scored 60 odd runs in 27-28 deliveries (61 off 27). That changed completely. But again, the preparation which I did for those two months, developing my game, playing different shots, that really helped me,” he reminisces.
For Rahane, this remarkable transformation was not merely about a sudden shift to aggressive batting. It was the culmination of diligent preparation, a profound change in mindset, and the empowering confidence derived from knowing he had the unwavering support of his team. After years of meticulously adhering to the roles assigned to him, Rahane finally discovered the freedom to redefine his own path. This extraordinary resurgence occurred at an age when many would have expected his IPL career to be gradually drawing to a close, solidifying his legacy as an enduring and adaptable cricketing talent.
