Ajinkya Rahane credits Chennai Super Kings for his smashing form in Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament

Veteran Indian star Ajinkya Rahane is back to doing what he is known for. The 36-year-old has been in top run-scoring form during the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament. Rahane scored 98 runs in the semi-finals against Baroda to help Mumbai reach the finals where they will take on Madhya Pradesh. 

After his amazing knock against Baroda, the 36-year-old credited his stint with Chennai Super Kings for his batting form. Rahane spent a few season with Chennai Super Kings and will be seen playing with Kolkata Knight Riders during the coming season. 

Speaking to the media, Ajinkya Rahane said, “The message from them was clear: go out there and play your natural game. It was never about, You play an anchor role and others will play around you. From other teams, the message for me was, play till 15-16 overs and others will play around you. That's why I was playing with a strike rate of 120-130. But the last two years have really helped me a lot in the shorter format." 

Can Rahane make it back to Team India after splendid scoring form?

Still only 36, Ajinkya Rahane will want to carry his form into the rest of the season. It has been a year since the veteran batter has played for India. So far, Rahane has played 8 games in the Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament. The veteran has scored 432 runs with an average of 61 and has hit five fifties. 

His last three innings have seen the veteran star score 95 against Andhra, 84 against Vidarbha, and 98 against Baroda. With Indian batting facing a tough time in recent times, if Rahane can continue his batting prowess he could soon find himself earn a recall. Mumbai are still in the mix in the Ranji Trophy tournament and also will play the Vijay Hazare Trophy where they begin their campaign against Karnataka. 

Ajinkya Rahane further added, “For me, it's always about timing the ball. But at the same time, having that intent from ball number one. And it's always about the extension of my defence - all the shots. So I'm just focusing on that. not trying to play too hard or, trying to play a big shot. It's always about the timing of the ball, and maintaining my shape all the time.”