Anubhav Sengupta, Xtra Time : Kolkata Knight Riders’ veteran opener Ajinkya Rahane has once again endured a poor start to this season’s Indian Premier League in the four matches so far, since scoring a well made 44 in the opening clash again defending champions Chennai Super Kings.
This is not the first time that the former Team India Test vice captain has been criticised and labelled as a ‘misfit’ for his poor performances in the shortest format of the game. And to talk on this matter, former Ranji Winning Bengal skipper Sambaran Banerjee spoke to Xtra Time on Monday in an exclusive interview.
Q) Are there any technical flaws in Ajinkya Rahane’s game ?
Ajinkya Rahane is basically a red ball player. He is technically very sound and is very well suited to the longer formats of the game where the duration is longer, like ODIs and Tests. He is somehow not being able to improvise his game according to the T20 format.
Q) Is there anything wrong in Rahane’s approach in T20 cricket ?
His approach is absolutely perfect. Many people say that Rahane is a misfit in this format. Earlier this tag was also associated with Rahul Dravid. But that is not the case. A cricketer, who is technically sound can be good across all formats. For the time being, he is somehow not getting that desired success.
Q) Aaron Finch has arrived and he is sitting on the reserve bench. Will he replace Rahane soon ?
Obviously Aaron Finch will come into the KKR side for a foreigner, probably in Sam Billings. Because the other three foreigners in Pat Cummins, Andre Russell and Sunil Narine will play. So in that case Ajinkya Rahane will have to sacrifice himself.
Q) Was this Ajinkya’s last chance to redefine himself in T20 cricket ?
No I don’t think so that it was his last chance this season. IPL is a very long tournament, so there are lots of factors like injuries and off form that are to be considered. Also someone could also be replaced. So I think that more opportunities will come in for Rahane. I don’t think that this was his last innings or chance.