Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane has credited his success in the Indian Premier League and home T20s to enjoying “fearless cricket” while remaining calm.
The 36-year-old topped the batting charts in the earlier version of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with 469 runs, together with 5 half-centuries, at a strike fee of 164.56. His aggressive strategy additionally paid off in the IPL the place he was the batting mainstay for Chennai Super Kings in the final two editions.
“It was always about being an anchor and the others would play around me. (But the) last 2-3 years, it’s always about playing with freedom, fearless cricket and go out and back my game,” Rahane, the model ambassador of Skillhub Online Games Federation, mentioned right here on Tuesday (March 4, 2025).
“I am trying to do that (play fearless cricket) but it’s (also) about following my processes and routines and staying loyal and truthful to the game.” Rahane, who led Mumbai into semi-finals in the Ranji Trophy and scored 467 runs, mentioned he would carry the arrogance from home cricket into the upcoming version of the IPL.
“For me, personally, batting-wise I am doing really well. Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy was really good for me, I had a really good domestic season. So, I am really confident about myself,” he mentioned.
“It is just about staying in the moment, staying calm and keep backing myself, not to think too much ahead and not to think about the past. It’s always about improving and enjoying my game,” he added.
Rahane felt that India’s victory in the Champions Trophy semifinal in Dubai on Tuesday may be attributed to the facet not dwelling into the previous document in opposition to Australia in the knockouts of ICC tournaments.
Before Rohit Sharma’s facet gained the match by 4 wickets, India had by no means crushed Australia in the knockouts of ICC tournaments for the reason that quarterfinal of the 2011 World Cup in India.
India had misplaced to Australia in the 2015 Cricket World Cup semifinal, the 2023 World Cup closing and the 2023 World Test Championship closing.
“Very happy that India has won the semifinal against Australia and have entered the final. I want to congratulate the team and I am sure they will do well in the final,” Rahane mentioned.
“What happened in the past is gone, the team must be thinking about the present and their aim was to beat Australia… to beat them in the semifinal.
“Obviously, what has occurred in the previous retains enjoying on the thoughts however, as a cricketer, your thoughts is all the time in the second, in the current, to do properly in that recreation to win the match,” Rahane said.
Rahane, who has been appointed KKR captain ahead of the upcoming IPL season, said he would like the defending IPL champions to keep it simple.
“Our crew is basically good, everyone seems to be enjoying very well. We had a camp in Mumbai, all of the home gamers had been right here however worldwide gamers are additionally enjoying which is basically good,” he said.
“We gained the championship final yr however once more this yr it’s about ranging from the scratch, ranging from zero. T20 is a humorous format and IPL is a difficult event.
“I am happy and humbled to be captain of the KKR team. We would like to keep it simple, take one game at a time and stay in the moment and enjoy the format,” Rahane added.
Published – March 05, 2025 11:53 am IST
