Ajinkya Rahane has never had a lot of success with optics. And he has some responsibility for it. Rahane is so quiet—almost reclusive—that he would rather let the bat speak for itself. Yet, like all of his distinguished buddies, the bat is silent for a few days. Days can sometimes grow into months or even years, but for Rahane, the leash has nearly always been brief and fastened with a noose.
Rahane’s white-ball mystery continues to be a mystery despite pragmatists pointing out dwindling rewards on home pitches and purists seeking to infuse steel into India’s batting abroad. (Twitter for Chennai Super Kings)
The justifications for biting him have likewise changed from making sense to being outright dubious. He is not able to spin. or “He pitches faster than most.” When India conveniently benched their vice-captain for two Tests in favour of Rohit Sharma on the 2018 tour of South Africa, “current form” was the talk of the town. MS Dhoni believed Rahane had an issue rotating the strike three years prior.
There are arguments and arguments in opposition. A 35-ball 40 against a world-champion West Indies lineup in the 2016 T20 World Cup semifinal was arguably not the best representation of T20 batting. Yet, the same Rahane had saved India from a crisis at the MCG, Lord’s, Wellington, and Johannesburg in 2014, 2018, and 2018. (2020). Rahane’s white-ball mystery has somehow stayed unresolved despite pragmatists pointing out dwindling rewards on home pitches and purists seeking to infuse steel into India’s batting abroad.
Maybe things are clearer now. Add some numbers as a backup. How about the highest strike rate this season among IPL batters with at least 200 runs, 199.04? You can see why Rahane is the player of the season when you compare it to a career IPL strike rate of 123. In T20, average doesn’t really matter, but if it’s 52.25 at No. 3 and doesn’t effect the total strike rate, fine, why not? Rahane has struck 11 sixes so far, his greatest total since 15 in 2015, and it’s only halfway through. This in and of itself indicates some anticipated improvement.
The aggressive ease with which Rahane has been attacking the bowlers, however, is more fascinating. Unknown spinner spinning a ball that is just too short in length? He will deliver it through long-on while rocking back. Such flawless cover drives reminded Rahane of himself in top vintage Test form as the weight was shifted decisively with the proper timing welding in. Slingshot sixes over midwicket and cuts through point have both been spectacular against fast and spin bowlers alike. You can, however, count on Umesh Yadav to get you into trouble if you aren’t already. This Rahane is one we will never understand. And this is perhaps where India fell short.
As he did with Robin Uthappa and many others before him, only Dhoni, who stated in 2015 that he would prefer Rahane to bat in the top three in ODIs or not at all, likely knew how to ignite Rahane’s fire. When we allow someone to bat the way they bat, we realise their potential, Dhoni stated during the post-game presentation. “We provide him freedom and the ideal surroundings. In order for everyone to feel more at ease and for the team to succeed, one must give up their position in a team setting.
It’s understandable why Rahane was moved to No. 3 by Dhoni and CSK given his half-century (61), 31 off 19 balls against the Royals, 37 off 20 balls at Bangalore, and the current 29 71 runs on. Garden of Eden. This iteration of Rahane has been so reassuring that each innings going forward can take on an air of inevitability; Rahane will either soar or plummet but won’t harm his team’s cause.
A subliminal message to those who didn’t wait for Rahane to turn around is also concealed within these knocks. For Rahane, the last three years haven’t exactly been full of good news—7 matches in 2022, 2 in 2021, and 9 in 2020—to say nothing of the negative. Rahane declared during the news conference that “the turning point is here, I am getting to play.” How do you demonstrate the weapons you have at your disposal? You cannot demonstrate your strokemaking to them if you are not playing consistently.”
The ability to explore spaces to identify gaps and support it with the appropriate shots and backup when necessary is at the heart of this confidence. If it’s correct, you can accomplish anything, Rahane added. Moreover, learning readiness is important, particularly when Dhoni is present. “You pay attention to anything he says,”
The preferred rallying cry of the Indian cricket ecosystem is “Irada.” The only significant difference in Rahane’s description may be that it goes beyond his principal skill. To save a six in an eight-run victory, he would have to field, putting his shoulder at risk. If he chooses to take the initiative, he will assume the role of captain, guide the group to one of the greatest Test series victories ever, and go after Arclight right away. Rahane declared: “Whether I’m playing for CSK or the National team, my goal is always to perform well for the team. Keep the team in mind and avoid thinking about yourself.”
It is simple to be sucked into the argument over whether Rahane deserves a core contract and perhaps one final opportunity in limited overs cricket. If you want to ignore it, you’re still left with a fairly great story of guts and triumph about becoming a T20 dasher in the first game of white-ball. This truth has never been discovered before. Perhaps because Rahane has never played that way. Or perhaps we were unaware that he was capable. His biggest ally was never actually optics. But the mindset is to never give up. Rahane still has hope that his best is yet to come because of this.