"It was for MS Dhoni"- Ajinkya Rahane dedicates IPL 2023 win to CSK skipper

Ajinkya Rahane made a comeback in Indian test side following stellar performance in IPL 2023 under MS Dhoni for CSK.

India are all set to lock horns with Australia in the biggest match of the test season at The Oval. It is the final of the World Test Championship, which will take place between June 7 and 11. The Indian test team had some of their key players missing from the squad. Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer are out due to injuries, while Rishabh Pant is out of action after suffering a horrible car accident. Thus, to strengthen the middle order, the BCCI has recalled Ajinkya Rahane.

The 34-year-old was a key player for the Indian test side on India's earlier overseas tour. But his string of low scores and the rise of young Indian batters forced the management to drop him from the team. Rahane played his last test for India in January 2022 in South Africa and made his comeback into the team after almost 16 months. He was also stripped of the role of vice captain for the test team.

Ajinkya Rahane dedicates the IPL 2023 victory to CSK skipper MS Dhoni

The comeback into the Indian test team was made possible after a brilliant season of the IPL. Rahane was signed by the Chennai Super Kings for the IPL 2023. He repaid the trust of the franchise in every possible way. The 34-year-old was one of the reason that CSK won their fifth IPL title. He scored 326 runs at an average of 32.6 and an incredible strike rate of 172.49.

Rahane's 27 off 13 helped CSK inch closer to the win in the final against the Gujarat Titans. In his latest interaction on BCCI.tv, the former test vice-captain dedicated the IPL win to skipper MS Dhoni. Rahane said, "It was a great game, the final was a really special victory for all of us, we said that this was for Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni). I personally, really enjoyed playing for CSK, the way I was batting throughout the season, even before the IPL I had a very good domestic season so batting wise I was feeling very good."

The 34-year-old will have a big point to prove in the upcoming WTC final against India. His overseas numbers are far better than his performance at home. That is why a lot will depend on how he performs in the middle order. India will be eying to win the ICC title, and Rahane's role will be very important.