IPL 2023: It was MS Dhoni who wanted Ajinkya Rahane in the CSK squad

Chennai Super Kings batsman, Ajinkya Rahane has scored 224 runs in 6 innings in the IPL 2023.

Chennai Super Kings number 3 Ajinkya Rahane has become one of the biggest talking points in the IPL 2023.  Rahane with his brilliant batting has also earned back his lost place in the Indian test team. Ajinkya Rahane in his 6 innings for CSK has scored 224 runs. What’s important is, his strike rate and his intent during his innings. A defensive and cautious Rahane is batting like he has nothing to lose. His strike rate is 189.83 this season. Rahane has attacked the pace bowlers from ball one and has also tried hitting unconventional shots on a few occasions.

MS Dhoni wanted Rahane in the CSK

Everyone was a little surprised when MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings put a 50 lakh bid on Rahne in the IPL Auction 2023. Now, Chennai Super Kings CEO Kashi Viswanathan has revealed that it was MS Dhoni who wanted to have Rahane in CSK. In an interview with Cricbuzz, Kasi Viswanathan said that captain Dhoni was too keen on taking Rahane in CSK. He said, “Nothing like it if you can get him’, MS Dhoni told me when I asked him about Rahane, and that is why we bid for him”. Rahane’s game has allowed CSK Middle Order to bat freely.

All-rounder Shivam Dube along with others has been batting without pressure due to Rahane’s top-class scoring performance this season. Before the IPL 2023, Ajinkya Rahane had pretty decent but not-so-impactful stats under his name. This new version of Rahane the batter looked missing from the field during the last 3-4 years. He had lost his place after his persistent failures in test cricket after the South Africa tour in 2022. Now, with an impactful season in the IPL 2023, he has earned back the reputation of an aggressive batter he had at the start of his international career.

MS Dhoni has also talked about Rahane’s game this season. Dhoni said that he had given full freedom to Ajinkya Rahane to bat the way he wanted to. Rahane’s good form will prove positive for Team India in the WTC final against Australia. Rahane, being an experienced batter will have a huge opportunity as well as responsibility in the big game against Australia.