Rahane finished the IPL 2023 season with 326 runs at an explosive strike rate of 172.48.
While referring to his strong show with the Chennai Ser Kings (CSK) in the IPL 2023 season, former Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane highlighted how team roles, job security, and specific preparation environments can completely transform a player's performance and batting style.
Early in his career with teams like the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant (RPSG), Rahane was specifically tasked with anchoring the innings. This dictated his lower strike rate (120-130) as he was required to bat deep into the innings while others attacked around him.
Moving between franchises like the Delhi Capitals (DC) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) between 2019 and 2022 resulted in limited game time. This lack of surety and inconsistent opportunities naturally dented his confidence.
His move to CSK ahead of the 2023 edition was a major turning point. Backed by a clear two-month preparation window and the management's backing to play with absolute freedom, Rahane successfully transformed his game into a high-intent, aggressive batter.
“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,” Rahane said in an interview with The Indian Express.
“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,” he added.
Rahane got a late chance to play against Mumbai Indians on April 8, 2023, after Moeen Ali fell ill. He Smashed 61 runs from 27 balls, proving his new style and earning total trust from the team.
“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 remarked.
Ajinkya Rahane finished the IPL 2023 season with 326 runs at an explosive strike rate of 172.48, helping CSK win the IPL title for the record-equaling fifth time.
Rahane recently announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. He was a cornerstone of India’s middle-order when the team held the No.1 Test rankings from 2016 to 2021.
The 38-year-old represented India in 85 Tests, amassing 5,077 runs at an average of 38.46, including 12 centuries and 26 fifties. He featured in 90 ODIs, scoring 2,962 runs with 3 centuries and 24 half-centuries. He played 20 T20Is, scoring 375 runs.