Chennai expected Rahane to be sold for more than Rs 50 lakh. The franchisee had also made preparations for this. However, this did not happen. Apart from Chennai, no one has bid for Rahane. Chennai Super Kings bought Rahane for Rs 50 lakh only.
India's experienced batsman Ajinkya Rahane was under a lot of pressure when he was dropped from the Test team in early 2022. His performance in IPL 2022 was also disappointing. Rahane was also dropped from the team by Kolkata Knight Riders. In IPL, he reduced his base price and included himself in the 50 lakh group. When the players were auctioned for the IPL, none other than Chennai Super Kings bid on Rahane. CSK bought him for Rs 50 lakh.
Chennai had already made a plan for Rahane before the auction. Team CEO Kashi Vishwanathan had also talked about this with coach Stephen Fleming and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Fleming had worked with Rahane in the Rising Pune Supergiants. He was a fan of his discipline. At the same time, under the captaincy of Dhoni, Rahane had played a lot in Team India. The coach-captain duo liked Rahane.
Chennai expected Rahane to be sold for more than Rs 50 lakh. The franchisee had also made preparations for this. However, this did not happen. Apart from Chennai, no one has bid for Rahane. Chennai Super Kings bought Rahane for Rs 50 lakh only. Rahane got a chance to play against Mumbai Indians. He didn't know he was in the playing XI until shortly before the toss. After injuries to Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali, the team needed an experienced player. Rahane got a chance and hit the spot for a four.
The innings against Mumbai changed everything Rahane played an inning of 61 off 27 balls against Mumbai. This proved to be the turning point of his career. He scored a half-century in IPL after 2020. After this innings, suddenly there was talk of taking Rahane in Team India. However, this innings alone was not the reason behind it. Rahane did well in the last season of Ranji Trophy. Rahane scored 634 runs for Mumbai at an average of 57.63 with the help of two centuries.
Apart from Dhoni, coach Stephen Fleming and batting coach Michael Hussey worked on Rahane's batting in the Chennai Super Kings camp. Advised Rahane to play freely and always be prepared. Rahane scored 326 runs in this season at an average of 32.60. His strike rate was more than 170. Rahane scored 27 off 13 balls against Gujarat in the final. He hit two fours and two sixes. His innings brought Chennai closer to victory.
After becoming the champion, Rahane said, "I would like to thank CSK management and Mahi Bhai (Dhoni). He said that he will always support me. He explained my role to me before the season. The freedom that CSK has given is a big thing. I am very happy with my batting. Dhoni also praised Rahane. He said, “A player like Ajinkya does not have to be explained. He is very experienced.
Apart from Rahane, another player won everyone's heart. His name is Shivam Dubey. Dubey hit long sixes this season. He hit a total of 35 sixes. He reached the top in terms of hitting the most sixes for Chennai in a single season. Dubey equaled former veteran Shane Watson. Watson had hit 35 sixes in 2018. Dubey became the new Sixer King of Chennai.
Shivam Dubey was also included in the team of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals before Chennai. Nowhere did Dubey get the freedom to play freely like in Chennai. Dhoni had a lot of faith in Dubey. The Chennai captain always said that if Dubey plays openly, he changes the course of the match. He can put the other team under pressure by hitting long sixes. Shivam Dubey always proved his captain's point right. He also played an important inning in the final. Dubey remained unbeaten on 32 off 21 balls. He hit two sixes.
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