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Ajinkya Rahane recently revisited his roots, taking a trip to his alma mater, SV Joshi High School in Dombivali. Joined by his family, he recalled when he first embraced the game of cricket. "Today it happened. I started cricket from this place; the school backed me. Despite several changes, coming here felt special," Rahane said.
Born to middle-class parents in the Dombivali suburb of Mumbai, Ajinkya Rahane had a modest start. His family were ardent supporters of his cricketing ambitions. He initially began training on a matted wicket and began formal coaching under Pravin Amre at age 17. Ajinkya Rahane stats from his junior days, including an exceptional Ranji season, caught the eye of cricket enthusiasts and selectors alike.
Initially, breaking into the Indian batting lineup was a tough task. He continued to impress in domestic cricket, though. His defining moment came when he scored 172 against England bowlers like Liam Plunkett and Graham Onions in a Duleep Trophy match. Ajinkya Rahane IPL performances were also stellar, further cementing his reputation as an upcoming talent.
When India faced an embarrassing series defeat against England in 2011, Rahane was called up as a replacement. He displayed adaptability, scoring a brilliant 61 in his T20I debut and 40 in his first ODI. Ajinkya Rahane had to wait longer for his Test cap, which finally arrived after Rahul Dravid's and VVS Laxman's retirements. When he did get the opportunity, he grabbed it with both hands. His impressive performances in challenging foreign conditions are a testament to his abilities.
Ajinkya Rahane IPL stats began to shine when he signed for Rajasthan Royals. He established himself as a dependable opener and demonstrated his skills for finding gaps during the Powerplay. His 2012 season was particularly remarkable, scoring over 550 runs at an impressive strike rate and recording his first IPL century.
Between 2012 and 2016, Ajinkya Rahane IPL performances were notably consistent. He solidified his status as one of the league's most reliable players. His ability to anchor the innings made him an important player for the Royals' batting strategy.
He was really good at holding his spot when playing for the Royals. However after 2016, Ajinkya Rahane wasn't doing as well in cricket. In the year 2017, Rahane failed to deliver good performances and scored less runs. In fact, he scored the lowest total since he became a big player in 2014. Things became harder for Rahane in 2018 when he was made Rajasthan Royal captain. This made him change his batting position in the lineup, letting Rahul Tripathi start the game with Jos Buttler.
Now, in 2023, everyone's watching Ajinkya Rahane closely because he's joined Chennai Super Kings for a lot of money. With a lot of good players in this team, it'll be cool to see if he does better this time.
The journey of Ajinkya Rahane, replete with its highs and lows, exemplifies the essence of sportsmanship and the undying spirit of cricket. With his recent ups and downs, fans are keen to see how Ajinkya Rahane will navigate the next chapter of his career.
FAQs
When did Ajinkya Rahane start playing cricket?
Ajinkya Rahane started playing cricket at a young age and received formal training under Pravin Amre when he was 17.
How has Ajinkya Rahane IPL career evolved over the years?
He began with the Mumbai Indians, moved to the Rajasthan Royals, where he gained consistency, and is now part of the Chennai Super Kings for the 2023 season.
Why was Ajinkya Rahane dropped from the national team in 2022?
He was dropped due to a lack of form, highlighted by a 15-Test stretch without a century.
