In addition to his 29-ball 71 not out and five sixes, Ajinkya Rahane also played a reverse scoop in the final over that turned heads. At Eden Gardens, Kolkata, CSK scored 235 in the allotted 20 overs.
In a high-scoring IPL 2023 match on Sunday, April 23, Chennai Super Kings batsman Ajinkay Rahane finished his comeback with a 29-ball 71 that sent the Kolkata Knight Riders bowlers on the prowl. As Chennai Super Kings posted their third-highest total in the history of the competition, 235, Rahane was in imperious form, hitting 5 sixes and 6 boundaries.
Following an opening partnership of 73 runs between Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ajinkya Rahane entered the game with just one goal in mind. The veteran pro attacked both pacers and spinners, putting on an impressive display of batting. As usual, Rahane was smooth, but a few of his shots caught the attention of viewers from around the globe.
In the fourteenth over, Rahane struck Umesh Yadav into the bleachers behind the wicketkeeper
Rahane took it to a new level when he hit left-arm pacer Kulwant Khejroliya for a boundary with a reverse scoop, which appeared unconventional coming from a player known for his traditional shot-making.
Rahane’s stunning shot, where he scooped the ball toward the third man for the boundary, involved opening the face of the bat.
Watch the clip from here:
Going..Going..GONE 💥
Which was your favourite shot from @ajinkyarahane88's magnificent knock tonight? #TATAIPL | #KKRvCSK pic.twitter.com/VLSa7XQ6NB
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 23, 2023
Jinx Rahane has just played one of the greatest shots I’ve ever seen. Keep entertaining brother! ❤️
— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) April 23, 2023
“Many people were in awe of Rahane’s shot-making prowess, including former England captain Kevin Pietersen. One of the best shots I’ve ever seen was just played by Jinx Rahane. Keep me amused, brother,” he added.
As the star batter for Chennai was hitting every part of the park on Sunday, Rahane also brought to mind memories of AB de Villiers for the audience.
Between overs 7 and 15, CSK scored more than 90 runs thanks to Ajinkya Rahane and Shivam Dube’s dominance in the middle overs. For the third wicket, Rahane and Dube needed just 32 balls to add 85 runs.
Rahane scored his second half-century of the IPL 2023, as the former Test vice-captain has resumed his T20 career at CSK. In 5 games, Rahane has scored 209 runs at a strike rate of 199.05. Ajinkya Rahane’s reverse scoop during CSK vs. KKR’s masterclass at Eden Gardens is one of the greatest shots ever made.