Chennai Super Kings punished Kolkata Kight Riders in a one-sided contest at the Eden Gardens to climb to the top of the IPL 2023 points table. It was another spectacular innings from Ajinkya Rahane which laid the foundation of the victory for the visitors. Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra, much like many others, was left awestruck by Rahane's blazing innings.
The four-time champions made a brisk start to the game on the back of a steady opening stand between Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad. However, it was the destructive partnership between Ajinkya Rahane and Shivam Dube that took the game away from the home side. While Dube smashed a 20-ball half-century during his stay, Rahane stayed unbeaten at the crease with 71 runs to his name off just 29 deliveries.
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra showered praise on the veteran cricketer after his match-winning innings. He revealed that people, including him, felt like Rahane's best was behind him after a poor run with KKR in last year's edition.
"Ajinkya Rahane scored a fifty off 19 balls at the Wankhede, and then he batted differently here. It was like boosters were attached to the bat. We have never seen Ajinkya Rahane hit so many sixes and fours. Ajju, what happened my brother? We all felt, including me, that the best is behind him in terms of his T20 career. It is not that he has not scored runs. He has scored centuries but it seemed he would not be able to do it now," Chopra said in a video shared on his YouTube channel.
It is now certain that Chennai brings the best out of people: Chopra
Talking about Rahane's transformation, Chopra feels that it is what the Chennai-based franchise does to the players. They have done it in the past with several cricketers, and Rahane becomes the latest cricketer to take his game to a next level for MS Dhoni's side.
"What has Ajju done this year and what does Chennai do with their players - it is incredible. It is now certain that Chennai brings the best out of people," he added.
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