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Xtra Time Xtra Time: Ajinkya Rahane, though overlooked in India's current Test and white-ball setup, has been in scintillating form in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024. The seasoned batter has emerged as the tournament's leading run-scorer, amassing 356 runs in 9 matches. On Friday, Rahane’s explosive 98 off just 56 balls propelled Mumbai into the SMAT final, showcasing his T20 brilliance once again.

Rahane's impressive tournament run includes over five fifty plus scores and a stunning 98 in the semi-final against Baroda. Though he narrowly missed a century, falling on the penultimate ball of the 17th over, his knock helped Mumbai chase down a 159-run target with 16 balls to spare at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. This marks Rahane’s sixth fifty-plus score in the tournament, highlighting his exceptional consistency.

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Some 90s feel like a Hundred ???????? pic.twitter.com/v8FsyridZw

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) December 13, 2024

Rahane’s journey in the SMAT comes at a crucial time, as he prepares to represent the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL 2025. Interestingly, Rahane initially went unsold in the IPL mega auction but was later picked up by KKR for ₹1.5 crore. His current form signals promising signs for the franchise, which is in search of stability following Shreyas Iyer's departure as captain. Reports have hinted that Rahane could emerge as a strong contender for KKR's captaincy role, further elevating his significance.

In Mumbai’s semi-final clash, Rahane’s five sixes sent the small crowd into raptures, though their cheers were overshadowed by the crisp sound of the ball meeting his bat. His dominance over Baroda’s bowling attack showcased not just his T20 adaptability but also his hunger to deliver under pressure.

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366 RUNS AT A STRIKE RATE OF 172 FOR RAHANE IN SYED MUSHTAQ ALI ???? pic.twitter.com/c9K29AjgcW

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 13, 2024

Rahane’s scores in SMAT 2024 include:

• 13 (13) vs Goa
• 52 (34) vs Maharashtra
• 68 (35) vs Kerala
• 22 (18) vs Services
• 95 (53) vs Andhra Pradesh
• 84 (45) vs Vidarbha (Quarter-final)
• 98 (56) vs Baroda (Semi-final)

With Mumbai eyeing the SMAT title and Rahane delivering match-winning performances, the veteran batter’s resurgence bodes well for both his domestic career and the upcoming IPL season with KKR.