Ajinkya Rahane sends Twitter into a frenzy with his fiery 71* vs KKR

Ajinkya Rahane smashed 71* off just 29 deliveries with 6 boundaries and 5 shots over the rope.

Chennai Super Kings batter Ajinkya Rahane continued his terrific form in IPL 2023 as he hit a quick-fire half-century in the ongoing IPL 2023 game against the Kolkata Knight Riders at the iconic Eden Gardens. The veteran batter played a few unconventional shots as well to send the social media channels into a frenzy.

Ajinkya Rahane walked when the Super Kings were already in a strong position with 73 in 7.3 overs as Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad raced to a quick-fire start. The Yellow Brigade saw another brisk 36-run partnership with Conway, who perished in the 13th over for 56 off 40 deliveries. Nevertheless, the carnage was yet to follow.

All-rounder Shivam Dube joined hands with Ajinkya Rahane to add 85 off 34 deliveries. Rahane, who started the series sensationally, reached the 50-run mark in 24 balls in the 17th over with a pull shot off Andre Russell. Dube perished in the next over, but didn't do so without a half-century, storming to the milestone in 20 balls off Kulwant Khejroliya.

Rahane, who now has 209 runs in five matches with a couple of half-centuries, has struck at a jaw-dropping 199.04. The 34-year-old stayed unbeaten at 71 off 29 deliveries, laced with six fours and five towering sixes as CSK stormed their way to the highest total of IPL 2023 with 235, going past SunRisers Hyderabad's 228, scored at the same venue.

Ravindra Jadeja also played a cameo of 18 off eight balls and his dismissal sent the Eden Gardens into a delirium ahead of MS Dhoni's arrival. While Khejroliya delivered a waist-high full toss, the Super Kings captain couldn't cash in on that. His first runs were off the last ball of the innings, running a double.

Here's how Twitter reacted to Ajinkya Rahane's knock at the Eden Gardens:

The Super Kings are at a comfortable spot in the points table, winning four out of their six games, while the Knight Riders have lost three successive ones.