21 days ago
'His time will come': Ajinkya Rahane wants India to drop Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to play Sanju Samson in Afghanistan T20Is originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Ajinkya Rahane wants India to reinstate the T20 World Cup top three of Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan for the Afghanistan series.
Rahane believes Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should play his natural game without overthinking, given how early this stage of his international career is.
Samson won the T20 World Cup Player of the Tournament but has struggled for consistency in the UK series since that triumph.
Ajinkya Rahane has thrown his weight firmly behind Sanju Samson, and urged the Indian team management to reinstate the wicketkeeper-batter in the top three for the Afghanistan T20I series ahead of teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
#rahane #samson #ajinkya
Ajinkya Rahane wants India to reinstate the T20 World Cup top three of Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan for the Afghanistan series.
Rahane believes Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should play his natural game without overthinking, given how early this stage of his international career is.
Samson won the T20 World Cup Player of the Tournament but has struggled for consistency in the UK series since that triumph.
Ajinkya Rahane has thrown his weight firmly behind Sanju Samson, and urged the Indian team management to reinstate the wicketkeeper-batter in the top three for the Afghanistan T20I series ahead of teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
#rahane #samson #ajinkya
21 days ago
NEW DELHI: Former India cricketer Ajinkya Rahane believes Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's time will come, but feels India should currently stick with the top-three combination that delivered the 2026 T20 World Cup ******* le, backing Sanju Samson to reclaim his place alongside Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan for the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan.
Samson, who was named Player of the Tournament during India's triumphant T20 World Cup campaign, was dropped after a string of low scores on the tour of England. Sooryavanshi was subsequently handed his international debut in Manchester and also opened during the T20Is against Zimbabwe.
With Samson now recalled for the three-match home series against Afghanistan, beginning at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday, Rahane believes the experienced batter should return to the top order.
"I feel the top three should be the same that played in the World Cup. Samson has done well, but he got dropped after two or three bad innings. I want him to get another chance. Abhishek and Ishan also did well for us," Rahane said in a video on his YouTube channel on Friday.
"Vaibhav will get his opportunities, and his time will come. But for now, I feel the top three should be Samson, Abhishek, and Ishan, who were our contributors in the World Cup," he added.
Rahane welcomed Samson's return while pointing to the batter's impact during India's World Cup-winning campaign.
"I am happy to see Sanju Samson back in the team. He was the 'Man of the Series' in the World Cup. It has been up and down, and things were happening to him that were not in his control. But he is a match-winner, and his return strengthens the team," Rahane said.
For Sooryavanshi, Rahane's message was one of patience and freedom. The 15-year-old has made a rapid rise through domestic and franchise cricket, but the former India batter believes the teenager should not overthink his early international career.
"I think he should just play his game right now. He should back the game that led him to come into the Indian team. It is a very early stage for him in his career and in international cricket," Rahane said.
"As of now, there is no need for him to think a lot, and he should be set free. His game will eventually change after two or three years, as much as he keeps playing. It will be important for him to maintain balance. Apart from cricket skills, it is important to stay balanced off the field. That will be a challenge for him."
Sooryavanshi has already provided plenty of evidence of his ability. During the Duleep Trophy, he became the youngest player to score a half-century in the competition, reaching the landmark at 15 years and 175 days.
He made 92 off 81 ******* for East Zone, reaching his fifty from just 42 deliveries and breaking a 57-year-old record previously held by Laxman Singh, who was 16 years and 23 days old when he scored his Duleep Trophy fifty in 1969.
Rahane believes the teenager's next challenge is not
Samson, who was named Player of the Tournament during India's triumphant T20 World Cup campaign, was dropped after a string of low scores on the tour of England. Sooryavanshi was subsequently handed his international debut in Manchester and also opened during the T20Is against Zimbabwe.
With Samson now recalled for the three-match home series against Afghanistan, beginning at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday, Rahane believes the experienced batter should return to the top order.
"I feel the top three should be the same that played in the World Cup. Samson has done well, but he got dropped after two or three bad innings. I want him to get another chance. Abhishek and Ishan also did well for us," Rahane said in a video on his YouTube channel on Friday.
"Vaibhav will get his opportunities, and his time will come. But for now, I feel the top three should be Samson, Abhishek, and Ishan, who were our contributors in the World Cup," he added.
Rahane welcomed Samson's return while pointing to the batter's impact during India's World Cup-winning campaign.
"I am happy to see Sanju Samson back in the team. He was the 'Man of the Series' in the World Cup. It has been up and down, and things were happening to him that were not in his control. But he is a match-winner, and his return strengthens the team," Rahane said.
For Sooryavanshi, Rahane's message was one of patience and freedom. The 15-year-old has made a rapid rise through domestic and franchise cricket, but the former India batter believes the teenager should not overthink his early international career.
"I think he should just play his game right now. He should back the game that led him to come into the Indian team. It is a very early stage for him in his career and in international cricket," Rahane said.
"As of now, there is no need for him to think a lot, and he should be set free. His game will eventually change after two or three years, as much as he keeps playing. It will be important for him to maintain balance. Apart from cricket skills, it is important to stay balanced off the field. That will be a challenge for him."
Sooryavanshi has already provided plenty of evidence of his ability. During the Duleep Trophy, he became the youngest player to score a half-century in the competition, reaching the landmark at 15 years and 175 days.
He made 92 off 81 ******* for East Zone, reaching his fifty from just 42 deliveries and breaking a 57-year-old record previously held by Laxman Singh, who was 16 years and 23 days old when he scored his Duleep Trophy fifty in 1969.
Rahane believes the teenager's next challenge is not
2 months ago
Former India cricketers Sanjay Manjrekar and Murali Kartik, who are part of the broadcast team for India's tour of Sri Lanka, found themselves involved in an awkward exchange during the Galle Test on Monday.
The two were discussing the ongoing match when their conversation unexpectedly shifted from cricket to Manjrekar's facial expressions. What started as a joke quickly turned into a series of personal remarks between the two former cricketers.
Kartik began by poking fun at Manjrekar's expression, asking him to stop making what he called the "pout of the century" because it was making his speech difficult to understand.
"That's a bad one," Manjrekar replied and also responded with a comment about Kartik's appearance, suggesting that the camera focus on someone else because the other person, Ajinkya Rahane in this case, had a more pleasant face. The exchange continued as both took further digs at each other.
Watch:
Kartik hit back, saying Manjrekar was the one who liked looking at himself, while Manjrekar suggested there was an incentive for Kartik to look in the mirror.
Kartik said he never looked at himself and added that people who had played or worked with Manjrekar would know him well. Manjrekar then appeared to realise that the exchange could go too far, acknowledging that they were approaching a line.
The conversation ended with Manjrekar saying, "We are both going to cross lines here and social media will have a field day."
The unusual on-air exchange quickly attracted attention because of how far the banter moved away from cricket.
While both former players appeared to be trading jokes, the comments became increasingly personal before Manjrekar attempted to bring the interaction to an end.
#personal
The two were discussing the ongoing match when their conversation unexpectedly shifted from cricket to Manjrekar's facial expressions. What started as a joke quickly turned into a series of personal remarks between the two former cricketers.
Kartik began by poking fun at Manjrekar's expression, asking him to stop making what he called the "pout of the century" because it was making his speech difficult to understand.
"That's a bad one," Manjrekar replied and also responded with a comment about Kartik's appearance, suggesting that the camera focus on someone else because the other person, Ajinkya Rahane in this case, had a more pleasant face. The exchange continued as both took further digs at each other.
Watch:
Kartik hit back, saying Manjrekar was the one who liked looking at himself, while Manjrekar suggested there was an incentive for Kartik to look in the mirror.
Kartik said he never looked at himself and added that people who had played or worked with Manjrekar would know him well. Manjrekar then appeared to realise that the exchange could go too far, acknowledging that they were approaching a line.
The conversation ended with Manjrekar saying, "We are both going to cross lines here and social media will have a field day."
The unusual on-air exchange quickly attracted attention because of how far the banter moved away from cricket.
While both former players appeared to be trading jokes, the comments became increasingly personal before Manjrekar attempted to bring the interaction to an end.
#personal
2 months ago
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 ******* le.
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 ******* hede 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 ******* , hitting seven fours and three sixes. It was the first major glimpse of what became known as Rahane 2.0.
133071868
"Actually, I was not playing in that game, but some injury happened. And then at the last minute I got an opportunity
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 ******* le.
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 ******* hede 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 ******* , hitting seven fours and three sixes. It was the first major glimpse of what became known as Rahane 2.0.
133071868
"Actually, I was not playing in that game, but some injury happened. And then at the last minute I got an opportunity
2 months ago
Rohit Sharma's 2027 World Cup future has become a talking point again, but former India teammate Ajinkya Rahane believes there should be no uncertainty surrounding the veteran opener's place in the squad.
Rahane, who retired from all forms of cricket last month, has called on the Indian team management to give Rohit a clear commitment over his World Cup future rather than ***** sing his place from one series to another.
The debate around Rohit's international career intensified during India's ODI tour of England last month. Speculation grew after a media report claimed that the former India captain could call time on his career at the end of the tour.
Those reports were subsequently dismissed by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and Rohit himself. The uncertainty, however, has not completely disappeared, with reports now suggesting that the selectors may have reservations about including the veteran in India's squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Rahane, though, feels there should be no discussion about Rohit's place if the opener is willing to continue until the tournament.
"I think it's important to tell Rohit Sharma that he's going to play the 2027 World Cup," Rahane said. "If you see his contribution throughout so many years, it's been amazing. So you need the experience of such a player in the World Cup. That discussion shouldn't even happen. If you say once, 'Rohit Sharma, you're going to play,' that's it. You can't go series by series because he's such a big player."
According to Rahane, constantly questioning an experienced player's position can have an impact on his mindset and rhythm. He believes players perform best when they know where they stand within the team.
"If you treat a big player like that, because as I said, it's about rhythm. Cricket is about rhythm. No matter how many matches you've played, whether you're a youngster or an experienced player in the team, it's about rhythm. If your mind is free, you can play with that mindset."
Rahane also insisted that Rohit's credentials and experience should not be up for debate, particularly with a major tournament such as the 2027 World Cup on the horizon.
"As for Rohit's quality, there's no need to even speak about it. Such experience is needed in the team, so this debate shouldn't even happen between the team management and the captain. Agar unko khelna hai 2027 World Cup, toh unko khelna hai," he added. (If he wants to play in the 2027 World Cup, then he should play.)
The latest round of speculation comes despite Rohit making a strong statement on the field during the England series.
Saikia had previously rejected reports that the third ODI against England would be Rohit's final match in the format. Rohit followed that up with a commanding century in the game, providing a timely reminder of his value to the Indian side.
Yet, the questions returned shortly afterwards. Some media reports claimed that the BCCI leadership and selectors were not completely
Rahane, who retired from all forms of cricket last month, has called on the Indian team management to give Rohit a clear commitment over his World Cup future rather than ***** sing his place from one series to another.
The debate around Rohit's international career intensified during India's ODI tour of England last month. Speculation grew after a media report claimed that the former India captain could call time on his career at the end of the tour.
Those reports were subsequently dismissed by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and Rohit himself. The uncertainty, however, has not completely disappeared, with reports now suggesting that the selectors may have reservations about including the veteran in India's squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Rahane, though, feels there should be no discussion about Rohit's place if the opener is willing to continue until the tournament.
"I think it's important to tell Rohit Sharma that he's going to play the 2027 World Cup," Rahane said. "If you see his contribution throughout so many years, it's been amazing. So you need the experience of such a player in the World Cup. That discussion shouldn't even happen. If you say once, 'Rohit Sharma, you're going to play,' that's it. You can't go series by series because he's such a big player."
According to Rahane, constantly questioning an experienced player's position can have an impact on his mindset and rhythm. He believes players perform best when they know where they stand within the team.
"If you treat a big player like that, because as I said, it's about rhythm. Cricket is about rhythm. No matter how many matches you've played, whether you're a youngster or an experienced player in the team, it's about rhythm. If your mind is free, you can play with that mindset."
Rahane also insisted that Rohit's credentials and experience should not be up for debate, particularly with a major tournament such as the 2027 World Cup on the horizon.
"As for Rohit's quality, there's no need to even speak about it. Such experience is needed in the team, so this debate shouldn't even happen between the team management and the captain. Agar unko khelna hai 2027 World Cup, toh unko khelna hai," he added. (If he wants to play in the 2027 World Cup, then he should play.)
The latest round of speculation comes despite Rohit making a strong statement on the field during the England series.
Saikia had previously rejected reports that the third ODI against England would be Rohit's final match in the format. Rohit followed that up with a commanding century in the game, providing a timely reminder of his value to the Indian side.
Yet, the questions returned shortly afterwards. Some media reports claimed that the BCCI leadership and selectors were not completely
2 months ago
Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane has picked Sachin Tendulkar as the greatest Indian cricketer of all time, shortly after bringing the curtain down on his playing career.
Rahane, who recently announced his retirement from all forms of cricket during an episode of Stick to Cricket, was asked to name India's greatest-ever cricketer. While acknowledging that the choice was far from straightforward, the former batter eventually settled on Tendulkar.
"I think it's very hard to take one name but… probably Sachin Tendulkar. I think all the eras," Rahane said.
Tendulkar enjoyed a remarkable international career that stretched across 24 years, representing India from November 15, 1989, to November 16, 2013. During that period, he featured in 664 international matches, including 200 Tests, 463 ODIs and one T20I.
The batting icon scored 15,921 runs in Tests, 18,426 in ODIs and 10 in T20Is, finishing as the highest run-scorer in the history of both Test and ODI cricket. He also remains the only player to have appeared in 200 Test matches and holds the record for the most ODI appearances.
Tendulkar was a central figure in India's triumphant 2011 ICC Men's ODI World Cup campaign, adding the coveted trophy to an already glittering career.
As captain, he led India in 25 Tests, registering four wins, nine defeats and 12 draws. In ODIs, Tendulkar captained the side in 73 matches, winning 23, losing 43, with one tie and six no-results.
Rahane made his international debut in a T20I against England at Manchester on August 31, 2011, and went on to represent India across all three formats between 2011 and 2023.
The Mumbai batter had the opportunity to share the dressing room with Tendulkar on multiple occasions. He played one Test alongside the legendary batter for India and had earlier been his teammate at Mumbai Indians during the 2009 IPL season, apart from representing Mumbai together in domestic cricket.
Across a career spanning more than 12 years, Rahane played most of his international cricket under MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. He was a key member of India's historic 2018-19 Test series-winning squad in Australia before captaining the team to another memorable series victory there in 2020-21.
Rahane also joined an exclusive list of Indian cricketers to captain the national side in all three formats. He finished his career with Test centuries in Australia, England and New Zealand, while representing six IPL franchises: Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Rising Pune Supergiants, Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings.
#tendulkar #test #international
Rahane, who recently announced his retirement from all forms of cricket during an episode of Stick to Cricket, was asked to name India's greatest-ever cricketer. While acknowledging that the choice was far from straightforward, the former batter eventually settled on Tendulkar.
"I think it's very hard to take one name but… probably Sachin Tendulkar. I think all the eras," Rahane said.
Tendulkar enjoyed a remarkable international career that stretched across 24 years, representing India from November 15, 1989, to November 16, 2013. During that period, he featured in 664 international matches, including 200 Tests, 463 ODIs and one T20I.
The batting icon scored 15,921 runs in Tests, 18,426 in ODIs and 10 in T20Is, finishing as the highest run-scorer in the history of both Test and ODI cricket. He also remains the only player to have appeared in 200 Test matches and holds the record for the most ODI appearances.
Tendulkar was a central figure in India's triumphant 2011 ICC Men's ODI World Cup campaign, adding the coveted trophy to an already glittering career.
As captain, he led India in 25 Tests, registering four wins, nine defeats and 12 draws. In ODIs, Tendulkar captained the side in 73 matches, winning 23, losing 43, with one tie and six no-results.
Rahane made his international debut in a T20I against England at Manchester on August 31, 2011, and went on to represent India across all three formats between 2011 and 2023.
The Mumbai batter had the opportunity to share the dressing room with Tendulkar on multiple occasions. He played one Test alongside the legendary batter for India and had earlier been his teammate at Mumbai Indians during the 2009 IPL season, apart from representing Mumbai together in domestic cricket.
Across a career spanning more than 12 years, Rahane played most of his international cricket under MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. He was a key member of India's historic 2018-19 Test series-winning squad in Australia before captaining the team to another memorable series victory there in 2020-21.
Rahane also joined an exclusive list of Indian cricketers to captain the national side in all three formats. He finished his career with Test centuries in Australia, England and New Zealand, while representing six IPL franchises: Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Rising Pune Supergiants, Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings.
#tendulkar #test #international
2 months ago
Mahendra Singh Dhoni's leadership has often been defined by more than his tactical decisions on the field. Over the years, the former India captain built a reputation for creating a comfortable dressing-room atmosphere, with several teammates crediting him for helping youngsters settle into the international setup.
One of the traditions that became synonymous with Dhoni during tours was his ever-open hotel room. Players, particularly the younger members of the squad, frequently gathered there to relax, chat and play mobile or video games away from the intensity of international cricket.
Former India batter Ajinkya Rahane, who played alongside Dhoni for India as well as IPL franchises Chennai Super Kings and Rising Pune Supergiant, shared an insight into that culture during an appearance on the Overlap Cricket YouTube channel.
According to Rahane, Dhoni's room often turned into a meeting point for the squad, with teammates dropping in throughout the day. However, there was one unwritten rule that everyone followed.
"He's (MS Dhoni) very calm and cool and just a very normal human being like everyone. His room was almost always open for anyone to do anything. So many times, 10 to 15 of them or even the whole team was in his room. But when his door was shut, no one was allowed," said Rahane on Overlap Cricket YouTube.
Dhoni's future as a player continues to be unclear after he missed the entire IPL 2026 season because of a leg injury. The 44-year-old did not play a single match for Chennai Super Kings, and there has been no official confirmation on whether he will return for another season.
Rahane, meanwhile, recently announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, bringing the curtain down on both his international and domestic career.
The 38-year-old decided to step away from the game three years after his final appearance for India, saying he felt the time was right to move on.
Rahane represented India in 85 Tests, 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is between 2011 and 2023, earning a reputation as one of the team's most reliable batters and playing a significant role in several memorable victories across formats.
133007825
#rahane #room #Cricket #super
One of the traditions that became synonymous with Dhoni during tours was his ever-open hotel room. Players, particularly the younger members of the squad, frequently gathered there to relax, chat and play mobile or video games away from the intensity of international cricket.
Former India batter Ajinkya Rahane, who played alongside Dhoni for India as well as IPL franchises Chennai Super Kings and Rising Pune Supergiant, shared an insight into that culture during an appearance on the Overlap Cricket YouTube channel.
According to Rahane, Dhoni's room often turned into a meeting point for the squad, with teammates dropping in throughout the day. However, there was one unwritten rule that everyone followed.
"He's (MS Dhoni) very calm and cool and just a very normal human being like everyone. His room was almost always open for anyone to do anything. So many times, 10 to 15 of them or even the whole team was in his room. But when his door was shut, no one was allowed," said Rahane on Overlap Cricket YouTube.
Dhoni's future as a player continues to be unclear after he missed the entire IPL 2026 season because of a leg injury. The 44-year-old did not play a single match for Chennai Super Kings, and there has been no official confirmation on whether he will return for another season.
Rahane, meanwhile, recently announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, bringing the curtain down on both his international and domestic career.
The 38-year-old decided to step away from the game three years after his final appearance for India, saying he felt the time was right to move on.
Rahane represented India in 85 Tests, 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is between 2011 and 2023, earning a reputation as one of the team's most reliable batters and playing a significant role in several memorable victories across formats.
133007825
#rahane #room #Cricket #super
2 months ago
Former India batter Ajinkya Rahane has urged everyone to be patient with young opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, saying it is too early to predict his future in Test cricket. Rahane said the teenager should be allowed to grow, adding that the Indian Premier League and international cricket are "completely different."
The 15-year-old Sooryavanshi had a mixed start to his international career. After struggling on his debut tour of England, he bounced back strongly in the T20I series against Zimbabwe, where he finished as the Player of the Series.
Speaking on the Stick to Cricket podcast, Rahane said: "It's tough to say or comment on right now. I don't want to say anything and put pressure on that young kid because people are already talking a lot about him. It's just two IPL seasons."
"What I've realised is that IPL and international cricket are completely different. The pressure when you represent your country is enormous. Chasing 70 runs in the IPL in four or five overs is easy. Chasing the same number of runs in international cricket is different. So, let him just play his game, let him just grow," he said.
Sooryavanshi earned his maiden India call-up after a brilliant IPL 2026 season.
Although he was selected for the Ireland and England tours, he did not feature in Ireland. He eventually made his debut in England after Sanju Samson's poor run with the bat.
The left-handed batter struggled in his first taste of international cricket, scoring 14, 13 and 15 in three T20Is before losing his place for the final match of the series.
Sooryavanshi quickly bounced back from the disappointment of the England tour with a match-winning display against Zimbabwe.
He began the three-match T20I series with a half-century, scored 20 in the second game and then blasted 81 off 49 ****** in the final match. India completed a 3-0 clean sweep, while the youngster finished with 151 runs at an average of 50.33 to win the Player of the Series award.
#Cricket #India
The 15-year-old Sooryavanshi had a mixed start to his international career. After struggling on his debut tour of England, he bounced back strongly in the T20I series against Zimbabwe, where he finished as the Player of the Series.
Speaking on the Stick to Cricket podcast, Rahane said: "It's tough to say or comment on right now. I don't want to say anything and put pressure on that young kid because people are already talking a lot about him. It's just two IPL seasons."
"What I've realised is that IPL and international cricket are completely different. The pressure when you represent your country is enormous. Chasing 70 runs in the IPL in four or five overs is easy. Chasing the same number of runs in international cricket is different. So, let him just play his game, let him just grow," he said.
Sooryavanshi earned his maiden India call-up after a brilliant IPL 2026 season.
Although he was selected for the Ireland and England tours, he did not feature in Ireland. He eventually made his debut in England after Sanju Samson's poor run with the bat.
The left-handed batter struggled in his first taste of international cricket, scoring 14, 13 and 15 in three T20Is before losing his place for the final match of the series.
Sooryavanshi quickly bounced back from the disappointment of the England tour with a match-winning display against Zimbabwe.
He began the three-match T20I series with a half-century, scored 20 in the second game and then blasted 81 off 49 ****** in the final match. India completed a 3-0 clean sweep, while the youngster finished with 151 runs at an average of 50.33 to win the Player of the Series award.
#Cricket #India
2 months ago
India captain who conquered Test series in Australia gives verdict on England coach Stephen Fleming before Ashes 2027 originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Ajinkya Rahane has praised England's new Test coach Stephen Fleming ahead of the 2027 Ashes.
Rahane played under Fleming at Chennai Super Kings, winning the IPL 2023 ******* le.
He credited the coach for the freedom and security he gave players.
Ajinkya Rahane knows a thing or two about thriving under pressure, having famously led a depleted India to a historic Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph in Australia in 2020-21. Now the veteran has offered a glowing verdict on Stephen Fleming, the man tasked with reviving England's Test fortunes ahead of the 2027 Ashes.
#stephen #rahane #Cricket
Ajinkya Rahane has praised England's new Test coach Stephen Fleming ahead of the 2027 Ashes.
Rahane played under Fleming at Chennai Super Kings, winning the IPL 2023 ******* le.
He credited the coach for the freedom and security he gave players.
Ajinkya Rahane knows a thing or two about thriving under pressure, having famously led a depleted India to a historic Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph in Australia in 2020-21. Now the veteran has offered a glowing verdict on Stephen Fleming, the man tasked with reviving England's Test fortunes ahead of the 2027 Ashes.
#stephen #rahane #Cricket
2 months ago
NEW DELHI: Ajinkya Rahane on Thursday announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing the curtain down on a career that spanned more than a decade. The veteran batter took to Instagram to share the news through an emotional video message. Rahane struggled to hold back his tears as he bid farewell to international cricket, thanking fans for their constant support throughout his journey.
The right-handed batter made his India debut against England in 2011 and went on to play 85 Tests, 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is. His last appearance for India came during the 2023 Test series against the West Indies.
Rahane signed off his Test career with 5,077 runs at an average of 38.46, including 12 centuries and 26 half-centuries. In 90 ODIs, he scored 2,962 runs at 35.26, with three centuries and 24 fifties, while he made 375 runs in 20 T20Is.
"The reality of life is that everything has a beginning, and everything has an end. When that time comes, you simply have to respect it and move forward. I always relied on timing in my batting, and I've always understood its important," Rahane said in a video message on his Instagram account.
"Today, I feel the timing is right for me to move on and announce my requirement from international cricket, and all formats," he added in the clip that was captioned "Cap number 278, signing off".
One of the defining moments of Rahane's career came during India's historic 2020-21 Test series win in Australia. Standing in as captain for Virat Kohli, he led an injury-hit Indian side to a memorable 2-1 series victory.
"From those early days, travelling from Dombivali as a young boy, just to practice, I gave this game everything I had. Every single day, every innings, every opportunity I got to bat, the dream was always to wear the India cap," he said in his farewell message.
Rahane also said that although his international career has ended, he will continue to remain involved with the game.
"I lived by one single rule, only support my country and my team ahead of myself. I played this game with complete honesty, and I always believe that if your intent is right, the game will always take care of you," Rahane said.
"Since the time I made my debut as a First-Class cricketer, Indian cricket has grown tremendously and I feel so proud to have been a part of over the last 20 years.
"While my chapter, as an Indian cricketer, comes to an end, my journey with the game doesn't. I look forward to helping the next generation, sharing the values, the sport has taught me, and giving back to the game that has given me everything," he said.
Ending on an emotional note, Rahane reflected on the lessons cricket had taught him, saying that while his name means "unbeatable", the sport has shown him the value of accepting defeat.
"There have been many wins and losses along the way, but the sheer joy of playing cricket, being part of different teams, and creating lifelong memories, that has been the greatest sati
The right-handed batter made his India debut against England in 2011 and went on to play 85 Tests, 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is. His last appearance for India came during the 2023 Test series against the West Indies.
Rahane signed off his Test career with 5,077 runs at an average of 38.46, including 12 centuries and 26 half-centuries. In 90 ODIs, he scored 2,962 runs at 35.26, with three centuries and 24 fifties, while he made 375 runs in 20 T20Is.
"The reality of life is that everything has a beginning, and everything has an end. When that time comes, you simply have to respect it and move forward. I always relied on timing in my batting, and I've always understood its important," Rahane said in a video message on his Instagram account.
"Today, I feel the timing is right for me to move on and announce my requirement from international cricket, and all formats," he added in the clip that was captioned "Cap number 278, signing off".
One of the defining moments of Rahane's career came during India's historic 2020-21 Test series win in Australia. Standing in as captain for Virat Kohli, he led an injury-hit Indian side to a memorable 2-1 series victory.
"From those early days, travelling from Dombivali as a young boy, just to practice, I gave this game everything I had. Every single day, every innings, every opportunity I got to bat, the dream was always to wear the India cap," he said in his farewell message.
Rahane also said that although his international career has ended, he will continue to remain involved with the game.
"I lived by one single rule, only support my country and my team ahead of myself. I played this game with complete honesty, and I always believe that if your intent is right, the game will always take care of you," Rahane said.
"Since the time I made my debut as a First-Class cricketer, Indian cricket has grown tremendously and I feel so proud to have been a part of over the last 20 years.
"While my chapter, as an Indian cricketer, comes to an end, my journey with the game doesn't. I look forward to helping the next generation, sharing the values, the sport has taught me, and giving back to the game that has given me everything," he said.
Ending on an emotional note, Rahane reflected on the lessons cricket had taught him, saying that while his name means "unbeatable", the sport has shown him the value of accepting defeat.
"There have been many wins and losses along the way, but the sheer joy of playing cricket, being part of different teams, and creating lifelong memories, that has been the greatest sati
2 months ago
NEW DELHI: Ajinkya Rahane never sought the spotlight. In an era dominated by classy stroke-makers and larger-than-life personalities, he quietly built a reputation as one of India's most dependable overseas batters and one of the country's most respected leaders.
On Thursday, the 38-year-old brought the curtain down on his international career, ending a journey that spanned more than a decade and produced some of Indian cricket's most memorable moments.
Having played 85 Tests, 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is, Rahane finished with 8,414 international runs, 15 centuries and 51 half-centuries. Yet, numbers only tell part of his story.
"The reality of life is that everything has a beginning, and everything has an end. When that time comes, you simply have to respect it and move forward. I always relied on timing in my batting, and I've always understood its important," Rahane said in his retirement video.
If there is one chapter that defines Rahane's legacy, it is India's remarkable 2020-21 Test series win in Australia.
After India were bowled out for 36 in Adelaide and Virat Kohli returned home on paternity leave, few believed the injury-hit side could compete, let alone win.
Rahane stepped in as captain and led a depleted Indian team to a stunning 2-1 series victory, one of the greatest triumphs in Indian cricket history.
His century in the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne not only rescued India's campaign but also made him the only Indian to score a Boxing Day Test hundred against Australia both as a player and as captain.
Under his leadership, India never lost a Test match, making his captaincy record (6 matches with 4 wins and 2 draws) one of the finest in Indian cricket.
Rahane earned a reputation for producing his best performances away from home. He became the first Indian batter to score both his maiden Test and ODI centuries in SENA countries, proving his ability to thrive in the toughest conditions.
His 12 Test hundreds often came in pressure situations, and remarkably, India never lost a Test whenever Rahane scored a century. He was also the first Indian to score a century in the World Test Championship, adding another milestone to an already impressive career.
One of his finest individual performances came against South Africa when he became the only Indian batter to score centuries in both innings of a Test while batting at No. 5 or lower.
#test
On Thursday, the 38-year-old brought the curtain down on his international career, ending a journey that spanned more than a decade and produced some of Indian cricket's most memorable moments.
Having played 85 Tests, 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is, Rahane finished with 8,414 international runs, 15 centuries and 51 half-centuries. Yet, numbers only tell part of his story.
"The reality of life is that everything has a beginning, and everything has an end. When that time comes, you simply have to respect it and move forward. I always relied on timing in my batting, and I've always understood its important," Rahane said in his retirement video.
If there is one chapter that defines Rahane's legacy, it is India's remarkable 2020-21 Test series win in Australia.
After India were bowled out for 36 in Adelaide and Virat Kohli returned home on paternity leave, few believed the injury-hit side could compete, let alone win.
Rahane stepped in as captain and led a depleted Indian team to a stunning 2-1 series victory, one of the greatest triumphs in Indian cricket history.
His century in the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne not only rescued India's campaign but also made him the only Indian to score a Boxing Day Test hundred against Australia both as a player and as captain.
Under his leadership, India never lost a Test match, making his captaincy record (6 matches with 4 wins and 2 draws) one of the finest in Indian cricket.
Rahane earned a reputation for producing his best performances away from home. He became the first Indian batter to score both his maiden Test and ODI centuries in SENA countries, proving his ability to thrive in the toughest conditions.
His 12 Test hundreds often came in pressure situations, and remarkably, India never lost a Test whenever Rahane scored a century. He was also the first Indian to score a century in the World Test Championship, adding another milestone to an already impressive career.
One of his finest individual performances came against South Africa when he became the only Indian batter to score centuries in both innings of a Test while batting at No. 5 or lower.
#test
2 months ago
NEW DELHI: Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane has announced his retirement from international cricket.
Rahane shared the news through a post on Instagram, where he uploaded a video message with the caption: "Cap 278 signing off".
"Thank you for all the love and support over the years. Forever grateful," Rahane wrote in his post.
"The reality of life is that everything has a beginning and everything has an end. When the time comes, you simply have to respect it and move forward. I have always relied on timing in my batting and have always understood its importance," Rahane said.
"Today, I feel the timing is right for me to move on and announce my retirement from international cricket and all formats. From those early days, travelling as a young boy just to practice, I gave this game everything I had. Every single day, every innings, every opportunity I got to bat, the dream was always to wear the India cap," he added.
"I lived by one simple rule. Always put my country and my team ahead of myself. I played this game with complete honesty and I have always believed that if your intent is right, the game will always take care of you," the veteran cricketer said.
"Since the time I made my debut as a first-class cricketer, Indian cricket has grown tremendously and I feel so proud to have been a part of it over the last 20 years. While my chapter as an Indian cricketer comes to an end, my journey with the game doesn't. I look forward to helping the next generation, sharing the values this sport has taught me and giving back to the game that has given me everything," he said.
Rahane also thanked the BCCI, Mumbai Cricket ***** ociation (MCA), his teammates, coaches, IPL franchises, family, friends and fans for their support throughout his career.
"And a very special thank you to all the cricket fans who supported me through every high and low. Ajinkya means unbeatable, but cricket has shown me defeat many times. As cricketers, we fail more often than we succeed. My team has lost matches. I have made mistakes, but there is one place where I was never defeated. And that was in your hearts. Thank you for your love, your faith and your support. Cap number 278, signing off," Rahane concluded
The 36-year-old represented India in all three formats during his international career. He played 85 Test matches, 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is.
The right-handed batter scored 5,077 runs in Tests at 38.46 with 12 centuries and 26 fifties, while in 90 ODIs, he made 2,962 runs at 35.26 including three tons and 24 fifties. In 20 T20Is, Rahane made 375 runs.
132729500
Rahane's biggest moment came in 2021 when he famously stood in for regular skipper Virat Kohli as a heavily depleted India defeated Australia in their own backyard 2-1.
#always #game #made #international
Rahane shared the news through a post on Instagram, where he uploaded a video message with the caption: "Cap 278 signing off".
"Thank you for all the love and support over the years. Forever grateful," Rahane wrote in his post.
"The reality of life is that everything has a beginning and everything has an end. When the time comes, you simply have to respect it and move forward. I have always relied on timing in my batting and have always understood its importance," Rahane said.
"Today, I feel the timing is right for me to move on and announce my retirement from international cricket and all formats. From those early days, travelling as a young boy just to practice, I gave this game everything I had. Every single day, every innings, every opportunity I got to bat, the dream was always to wear the India cap," he added.
"I lived by one simple rule. Always put my country and my team ahead of myself. I played this game with complete honesty and I have always believed that if your intent is right, the game will always take care of you," the veteran cricketer said.
"Since the time I made my debut as a first-class cricketer, Indian cricket has grown tremendously and I feel so proud to have been a part of it over the last 20 years. While my chapter as an Indian cricketer comes to an end, my journey with the game doesn't. I look forward to helping the next generation, sharing the values this sport has taught me and giving back to the game that has given me everything," he said.
Rahane also thanked the BCCI, Mumbai Cricket ***** ociation (MCA), his teammates, coaches, IPL franchises, family, friends and fans for their support throughout his career.
"And a very special thank you to all the cricket fans who supported me through every high and low. Ajinkya means unbeatable, but cricket has shown me defeat many times. As cricketers, we fail more often than we succeed. My team has lost matches. I have made mistakes, but there is one place where I was never defeated. And that was in your hearts. Thank you for your love, your faith and your support. Cap number 278, signing off," Rahane concluded
The 36-year-old represented India in all three formats during his international career. He played 85 Test matches, 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is.
The right-handed batter scored 5,077 runs in Tests at 38.46 with 12 centuries and 26 fifties, while in 90 ODIs, he made 2,962 runs at 35.26 including three tons and 24 fifties. In 20 T20Is, Rahane made 375 runs.
132729500
Rahane's biggest moment came in 2021 when he famously stood in for regular skipper Virat Kohli as a heavily depleted India defeated Australia in their own backyard 2-1.
#always #game #made #international
2 months ago
When India begin their three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club on Thursday, the spotlight will not only be on the result but also on the fresh faces hoping to begin their international journeys.
Over the years, tours of Zimbabwe have evolved into India's preferred platform for testing emerging talent in the shortest format. Rather than fielding full-strength squads, the BCCI has consistently used these bilateral series to reward standout domestic and IPL performers with their maiden T20I caps.
The numbers underline that trend. A total of 22 Indian men's cricketers have made their T20I debuts against Zimbabwe, making the African nation one of India's most frequent proving grounds for future stars.
India's tradition of handing out debuts in Zimbabwe dates back to 2010. During the two-match T20I series, Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin and Naman Ojha all made their debuts in the opening game as India secured a comfortable six-wicket win. Kohli remained unbeaten on 26, Ashwin impressed with figures of 1/22, while Ojha managed two runs. In the following match, Amit Mishra became the fourth debutant of the series and returned figures of 1/21.
That tour also marked another milestone, with Suresh Raina captaining India in T20Is for the first time.
Five years later, India again arrived in Zimbabwe with a youthful squad. The 2015 series featured first T20I caps for Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Stuart Binny, Axar Patel and Sandeep Sharma in the opening game, while Sanju Samson debuted in the second T20I.
Although several batters endured modest starts, Axar Patel stood out with an impressive spell of 3/17. Manish Pandey scored 19, Kedar Jadhav made 9, Stuart Binny contributed 11 and Sandeep Sharma went wicketless. Samson scored 19 off 24 ****** in his maiden appearance.
The same tour also witnessed Ajinkya Rahane making his captaincy debut in both ODIs and T20Is.
India continued the trend in 2016, handing opportunities to another crop of newcomers. KL Rahul, Mandeep Singh, Jaydev Unadkat, Rishi Dhawan and Yuzvendra Chahal all made their T20I debuts in the opening match. It proved a difficult initiation for several players as Zimbabwe posted 170/6. Unadkat, Dhawan and Chahal all endured expensive spells, while Rahul was dismissed for a first-ball duck. Mandeep Singh provided one of the few positives with 31 off 27 ****** , although India lost the match by two runs.
The second T20I brought more debutants. Barinder Sran enjoyed a dream start to his international career, producing figures of 4/10, which remain the best bowling figures by an Indian on T20I debut. Dhawal Kulkarni also debuted in that match and claimed 1/32.
India once again used the Zimbabwe tour in 2024 to blood a fresh batch of youngsters. Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel made their T20I debuts in the opening match of the five-game series. Sai Sudharsan was handed his maiden cap in the second T20I, while Tushar Deshpande made his de
Over the years, tours of Zimbabwe have evolved into India's preferred platform for testing emerging talent in the shortest format. Rather than fielding full-strength squads, the BCCI has consistently used these bilateral series to reward standout domestic and IPL performers with their maiden T20I caps.
The numbers underline that trend. A total of 22 Indian men's cricketers have made their T20I debuts against Zimbabwe, making the African nation one of India's most frequent proving grounds for future stars.
India's tradition of handing out debuts in Zimbabwe dates back to 2010. During the two-match T20I series, Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin and Naman Ojha all made their debuts in the opening game as India secured a comfortable six-wicket win. Kohli remained unbeaten on 26, Ashwin impressed with figures of 1/22, while Ojha managed two runs. In the following match, Amit Mishra became the fourth debutant of the series and returned figures of 1/21.
That tour also marked another milestone, with Suresh Raina captaining India in T20Is for the first time.
Five years later, India again arrived in Zimbabwe with a youthful squad. The 2015 series featured first T20I caps for Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Stuart Binny, Axar Patel and Sandeep Sharma in the opening game, while Sanju Samson debuted in the second T20I.
Although several batters endured modest starts, Axar Patel stood out with an impressive spell of 3/17. Manish Pandey scored 19, Kedar Jadhav made 9, Stuart Binny contributed 11 and Sandeep Sharma went wicketless. Samson scored 19 off 24 ****** in his maiden appearance.
The same tour also witnessed Ajinkya Rahane making his captaincy debut in both ODIs and T20Is.
India continued the trend in 2016, handing opportunities to another crop of newcomers. KL Rahul, Mandeep Singh, Jaydev Unadkat, Rishi Dhawan and Yuzvendra Chahal all made their T20I debuts in the opening match. It proved a difficult initiation for several players as Zimbabwe posted 170/6. Unadkat, Dhawan and Chahal all endured expensive spells, while Rahul was dismissed for a first-ball duck. Mandeep Singh provided one of the few positives with 31 off 27 ****** , although India lost the match by two runs.
The second T20I brought more debutants. Barinder Sran enjoyed a dream start to his international career, producing figures of 4/10, which remain the best bowling figures by an Indian on T20I debut. Dhawal Kulkarni also debuted in that match and claimed 1/32.
India once again used the Zimbabwe tour in 2024 to blood a fresh batch of youngsters. Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel made their T20I debuts in the opening match of the five-game series. Sai Sudharsan was handed his maiden cap in the second T20I, while Tushar Deshpande made his de
3 months ago
India batter Ajinkya Rahane expressed disbelief regarding Sanju Samson’s omission from India’s T20I squad for the Zimbabwe tour. He expressed surprise and hoped that the selectors had communicated the decision to him.
Rahane took to Instagram and posted a story throwing his weight behind Samson, saying he expected the wicketkeeper-batter to return to the national side soon.
"Hope there has been some communication with Samson. Find it odd that the hero of our recent T20 WC win has been left out of the T20 squad to Zimbabwe. Hope to see him back in the team soon," Rahane wrote on his Instagram Story.
The veteran shared his remarks following the announcement of India’s squad for the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, which marked Samson’s absence.
The 31-year-old was omitted despite his significant contribution to India’s successful ICC T20 World Cup campaign.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Sunday announced a 15-member squad for the Zimbabwe tour, with Prabhsimran Singh and Yash Thakur earning their maiden India call-ups.
The T20I series will commence on July 23, with all three matches scheduled to be played in Harare. The team will take the field under Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy. Tilak Varma, on the other hand, will be the vice-captain.
Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who replaced Samson in the second T20I against England, keeps his spot.
Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma (Vice-Captain), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Suryansh Shedge, Rinku Singh, Harsh Dubey, Varun Chakaravarathy, Prince Yadav, Yash Thakur, Ashok Sharma, Mayank Yadav, Prabhsimran Singh (WK).
Rahane took to Instagram and posted a story throwing his weight behind Samson, saying he expected the wicketkeeper-batter to return to the national side soon.
"Hope there has been some communication with Samson. Find it odd that the hero of our recent T20 WC win has been left out of the T20 squad to Zimbabwe. Hope to see him back in the team soon," Rahane wrote on his Instagram Story.
The veteran shared his remarks following the announcement of India’s squad for the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, which marked Samson’s absence.
The 31-year-old was omitted despite his significant contribution to India’s successful ICC T20 World Cup campaign.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Sunday announced a 15-member squad for the Zimbabwe tour, with Prabhsimran Singh and Yash Thakur earning their maiden India call-ups.
The T20I series will commence on July 23, with all three matches scheduled to be played in Harare. The team will take the field under Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy. Tilak Varma, on the other hand, will be the vice-captain.
Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who replaced Samson in the second T20I against England, keeps his spot.
Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma (Vice-Captain), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Suryansh Shedge, Rinku Singh, Harsh Dubey, Varun Chakaravarathy, Prince Yadav, Yash Thakur, Ashok Sharma, Mayank Yadav, Prabhsimran Singh (WK).
5 months ago
Yesterday IPL match result: Finn Allen blitz, Sunil Narine magic keep KKR playoff hopes alive
KOLKATA: The New Zealand batter’s breezy 93 off just 35 **** helped Kolkata Knight Riders stay alive in this IPL by recording a 29-run victory at the Eden Gardens against Gujarat **** ans here on Saturday. They jumped one spot to seventh with 11 points from 12 games. GT, who suffered their first defeat after five wins, were left waiting for a playoff spot with one match to go. The opener brought back memories of his belligerent knock where he smashed the fastest century in T20 World Cup history in the semis against South Africa off just 33 **** at this same venue in March.
Allen fell short of his second ton of this season, but helped KKR put up 247 for two, their highest total in this IPL, after being asked to bat first on losing the toss against GT. GT’s inform openers Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill raced to 42 off the first three overs while chasing the target, but their stand ended a little painfully when Sudharsan retired hurt after suffering a blow to the elbow off a delivery from pacer Kartik Tyagi.
Gill played another classic knock, finding boundaries without playing too many risky shots before falling to KKR’s most successful bowler of the evening, Sunil Narine, for 85 that came off 49 **** . Jos **** ler did give his skipper able support, but could not take the side home as GT finished at 218 for four. Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana, playing his first match for KKR, came in as an impact player, bowled just eight deliveries before walking out sustaining a calf injury.
Earlier, KKR made GT pay for some sloppy fielding after losing skipper Ajinkya Rahane (14), who became Mohammed Siraj’s 200th T20 victim. Allen, too, could have departed for 14 had Jason Holder managed to hold on to a tough chance at cover. The right-handed batter, however, got an easy life again at 33, when Siraj dropped a sitter at long on off Holder.
However, the 27-year-old was unperturbed and continued to play his shots. Allen greeted Rashid Khan with consecutive sixes and a four to reach his 50 off 21 **** with the help of three fours and four sixes. He added two more sixes off Holder’s next over to help KKR reach 100 in nine overs.
The 95-run second-wicket stand between Allen and Angkrish Raghuvanshi finally came to an end when Allen played a lofted shot off Sai Kishore to be caught by Rashid at the mid-wicket boundary. The opener hit four boundaries and 10 sixes. Cameron Green too got a life when Arshad dropped him at 33 off Rashid. The Australian also got a 50 off 26 deliveries.
Raghuvanshi was dropped by Washington Sundar on 52 and ended up remaining unbeaten on 82 off 44 **** .
https://sports.yahoo.com/a...
KOLKATA: The New Zealand batter’s breezy 93 off just 35 **** helped Kolkata Knight Riders stay alive in this IPL by recording a 29-run victory at the Eden Gardens against Gujarat **** ans here on Saturday. They jumped one spot to seventh with 11 points from 12 games. GT, who suffered their first defeat after five wins, were left waiting for a playoff spot with one match to go. The opener brought back memories of his belligerent knock where he smashed the fastest century in T20 World Cup history in the semis against South Africa off just 33 **** at this same venue in March.
Allen fell short of his second ton of this season, but helped KKR put up 247 for two, their highest total in this IPL, after being asked to bat first on losing the toss against GT. GT’s inform openers Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill raced to 42 off the first three overs while chasing the target, but their stand ended a little painfully when Sudharsan retired hurt after suffering a blow to the elbow off a delivery from pacer Kartik Tyagi.
Gill played another classic knock, finding boundaries without playing too many risky shots before falling to KKR’s most successful bowler of the evening, Sunil Narine, for 85 that came off 49 **** . Jos **** ler did give his skipper able support, but could not take the side home as GT finished at 218 for four. Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana, playing his first match for KKR, came in as an impact player, bowled just eight deliveries before walking out sustaining a calf injury.
Earlier, KKR made GT pay for some sloppy fielding after losing skipper Ajinkya Rahane (14), who became Mohammed Siraj’s 200th T20 victim. Allen, too, could have departed for 14 had Jason Holder managed to hold on to a tough chance at cover. The right-handed batter, however, got an easy life again at 33, when Siraj dropped a sitter at long on off Holder.
However, the 27-year-old was unperturbed and continued to play his shots. Allen greeted Rashid Khan with consecutive sixes and a four to reach his 50 off 21 **** with the help of three fours and four sixes. He added two more sixes off Holder’s next over to help KKR reach 100 in nine overs.
The 95-run second-wicket stand between Allen and Angkrish Raghuvanshi finally came to an end when Allen played a lofted shot off Sai Kishore to be caught by Rashid at the mid-wicket boundary. The opener hit four boundaries and 10 sixes. Cameron Green too got a life when Arshad dropped him at 33 off Rashid. The Australian also got a 50 off 26 deliveries.
Raghuvanshi was dropped by Washington Sundar on 52 and ended up remaining unbeaten on 82 off 44 **** .
https://sports.yahoo.com/a...
