Sanjay Manjrekar, a former Indian cricketer and analyst, believes that the number Ajinkya Rahane bats at is crucial ahead of Chennai Super Kings’ clash with Kolkata Knight Riders. Rahane has been in fine form this IPL season, scoring 129 runs in three games at a strike rate of 195.45. This is a remarkable turnaround for Rahane, who has struggled in the shortest format of the game in the past. Manjrekar credits Rahane’s IPL 2023 revival to his batting technique, which has allowed him to play more freely and aggressively.
Eric Simons, the bowling consultant for the Chennai Super Kings, also praised Rahane’s T20 cricket abilities, describing him as a “very clever cricketer.” Simons believes that Rahane has found his own way of playing T20 cricket and has been very effective by playing traditional cricket shots. Rahane’s excellent form has helped CSK climb to third place in the IPL 2023 rankings, and they will be looking to continue their winning streak against KKR, who are currently eighth in the standings.
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Manjrekar highlights the importance of Rahane’s batting stance and the number he is placed at in the order. He believes that Rahane struggles to generate power in his shots against spin, and this becomes more apparent when the pace slows down. However, he has been batting superbly when the ball is coming onto the bat. Rahane’s excellent powerplay strike rate of 222.22 this season has been instrumental in his success.
The upcoming match against KKR will be a crucial one for CSK, as they look to consolidate their position in the IPL 2023 standings. The visitors have eight points from six games and will be hoping that Rahane can continue his good form to help them secure a vital win.