Rahane at the Crossroads: Can Intent and Strike-rate Match Fighting Talk?

 

Ajinkya Rahane at the Eden Gardens Image: Debasis Sen

I am someone who is extremely fond of Ajinkya Rahane. I have always backed him as a player and believe he hasn’t been given his due as captain of the national team. The 2021 Test series win against Australia will forever rank as one of India’s finest, and Rahane, as skipper, deserves a great deal of credit. Unfortunately for him, that hasn’t been the case.

Rahane’s Test record and contribution to Indian cricket are second to none. The fact that he is less flamboyant compared to some others has meant that ‘Brand Rahane’ hasn’t been as prominent as it should have been. But that takes nothing away from his contribution to the sport.

All this, however, doesn’t deter one from asking questions about his strike-rate. As I said, I am hugely fond of Ajju, and there is no PR here – either for or against him.

Rather, I have some very basic questions to ask. Rahane’s strike-rate in the first game was 167.5. KKR’s team total was 220 (SR 183.33). In this case, Rahane, despite opening the batting, was below the team’s strike-rate. At the Wankhede, the par score for any team is now literally 230–240. That means the strike-rate for the openers ought to be close to 200. These are facts, and there is no PR here either way.

For KKR to do well, especially with a cagey middle order, Rahane has to score at 185–190 as an opener. Finn Allen scored at 400 against Sunrisers and made 28 off just seven balls. Unless Rahane, as leader, is able to do this, KKR will struggle. I say this because I want him and KKR to do well. It augurs well for my city, and I would love to see Kolkata fans celebrate the franchise.

The problem these days is that whatever you say is considered PR – either pro or anti. If you ask critical questions, it is assumed you have an agenda against the player. In my case, I have no agenda whatsoever against Rahane, except for wanting to see him succeed.

The pressure on Ajinkya will mount, for KKR’s middle order isn’t the strongest. Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Cameron Green are average at best, and Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh and Anukul Roy haven’t won many matches for the franchise. It means Allen and Rahane will have to give the team a solid start for KKR to stay in the hunt.

Much like Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), who are overwhelmingly dependent on the top four, KKR too are top-heavy. That adds to the pressure on Rahane, compounded by the many injuries his team has had to deal with. His rant at the press conference can perhaps be attributed to this. Knowing him well over the years, he isn’t someone to lose his cool unless he is really feeling the heat.

Can Rahane defy the odds and score at a strike-rate he has rarely achieved before in his career? Can he turn over one final leaf and adapt to this high-risk, high-reward nature of the format? Can he stay consistent at the top for KKR?

PR or no PR, this could well decide KKR’s campaign.

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Also read IPL 2026: Rahane defends strike rate, but numbers paint a different picture

The post Rahane at the Crossroads: Can Intent and Strike-rate Match Fighting Talk? appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.



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