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Ajinkya Rahane topped the batting charts in the last edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with 469 runs, including five fifties.
Ajinkya Rahane Details Change In His Batting Approach: ‘Playing With Freedom…’ (Picture credit: PTI)
Star India batter Ajinkya Rahane has admitted that, till a few years back, his approach was to be an anchor while others played around him, but in the last two to three years, he has switched to playing ‘with freedom. ‘
Rahane topped the batting charts in the last edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with 469 runs, including five fifties, at a strike rate of 164.56.
Rahane’s aggressive approach paid off in the Indian Premier League, where he was the batting mainstay for the Chennai Super Kings in the last two editions.
“It was always about being an anchor, and the others would play around me. (But the) The last 2-3 years, it’s always about playing with freedom, fearless cricket, and go out and back my game,” Rahane said while speaking at an event in Mumbai.
“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 added.
The star India batter, who led Mumbai into the Ranji Trophy semifinal and scored 467 runs, said that he would carry the confidence from domestic cricket into the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League.
“For me, batting-wise, I am doing well. Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy was good for me, I had a really good domestic season. So, I am confident about myself,” Rahane said.
“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,” Rahane added.
The star India batter said that India’s win against Australia in the Champions Trophy semifinal in Dubai on Tuesday could be attributed to the team not dwelling on the past record against Australia in the knockouts of ICC tournaments as well.
Before Rohit Sharma’s team won the game by four wickets, India had never defeated Australia in the knockouts of ICC tournaments since the quarterfinal of the 2011 World Cup in India.
India had lost to Australia in the 2015 ODI World Cup semifinal, the 2023 World Cup final and the 2023 World Test Championship final.
For more in-depth coverage of the Champions Trophy, check out the latest Points Table to see where your favorite team stands. Stay updated on the tournament’s top performers with the Most Runs and Most Wickets leaderboards. Keep following for all the latest updates!
