‘That one thing completely changed’: Ajinkya Rahane reveals how CSK transformed his IPL career | Cricket News

Ajinkya Rahane (PTI Photo)

For much of his IPL career, Ajinkya Rahane was defined by one role: the anchor.Across 19 seasons, from the inaugural IPL in 2008 through to the 2026 edition, Rahane represented six different franchises and played 212 matches. He currently sits eighth on the tournament’s all-time run-scoring list, with 5,367 runs at an average of 30.15 and a strike rate of 125.60.Yet despite such longevity, Rahane had to wait 16 years to get his hands on an IPL title.The turning point came in 2023, when Chennai Super Kings brought him into their squad for his base price of Rs 50 lakh. At 35, Rahane reinvented his approach and produced a version of his batting that had rarely been seen in the tournament.He scored 326 runs for the MS Dhoni-led side, but it was his strike rate that truly stood out. Rahane struck at 172.48 that season, a dramatic jump from his 103.90 strike rate the previous year. Before 2023, he had never managed a strike rate of 140 or more in an IPL season.Looking back at the first phase of his IPL career during The Indian Express’ Idea Exchange, Rahane explained how his role had shaped his approach.“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 change began before Rahane even arrived at the IPL season. His preparation during the two months leading into the 2023 campaign helped him develop a more aggressive range of shots and, more importantly, gave him the confidence to attempt them in matches.“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 opportunity arrived unexpectedly at the Wankhede Stadium on April 8, 2023.Rahane had not initially been part of Chennai’s playing XI. But an illness to Moeen Ali opened up a late opportunity, and Rahane responded with one of the most explosive innings of his IPL career.Walking in at his home ground, he smashed 61 off just 27 balls, hitting seven fours and three sixes. It was the first major glimpse of what 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, the transformation was not simply about suddenly becoming an aggressive batter. It was the result of preparation, a change in mindset and the confidence that came from knowing he had the backing of his team.After years of playing around the role assigned to him, Rahane finally found the freedom to redefine it himself. And it came at an age when many would have expected his IPL career to be winding down.