Rajasthan Royals former skipper Ajinkya Rahane produced a scintillating hundred off just 58 balls just after a couple of days he was sacked from the captaincy bridle. Rahane batted at the top of his game as he brought his second IPL hundred. Meanwhile, the stylish right-hander had the rub of the green on his side as he was dropped by Ishant Sharma at short fine-leg when he was on just 16 runs.
Thus, Delhi Capitals had to pay the big price for the drop catch when Axar Patel was the bowler. In fact, Rahane changed gears like a top model car after he got a reprieve from the lanky fast bowler.
Rahane was at his best.
Meanwhile, Ajinkya Rahane is well known for his calm and composed nature. However, he was animated after reaching his fifty and hundred and gave a signal to the dugout that he can perform consistently. Rahane’s knock contained 11 fours and three sixes as RR has posted 191 runs in their 20 overs.
Rahane’s knock was full of class as he batted at the top of his game. The right-hander was timing the ball with perfection as he came up with his best to the table.
Ajinkya Rahane hasn’t had the best of the season for the Royals with the bat. Barring his knock of 71 runs, he had looked off-color in the ongoing edition. However, he was at his best against Delhi Capitals.
Smith also came up with back to back fifties.
Recently appointed captain Steven Smith also scored his back to back fifty. The Rajasthan Royals captain scored a fine knock of 50 runs from 32 balls with the help of eight fours. Rahane and Smith went on put a fine alliance of 132 runs off just 75 balls for the second wicket.
Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals had won their previous match against Mumbai Indians by five wickets. Smith had played a fine knock of 58 runs for his side.
Here is how Twitter reacts to Ajinkya Rahane’s hundred:
Did Jos Buttler gave all his superpowers to Ajinkya Rahane before heading back home? #Class #RRvDC
— Prashi Relangi (@prashirelangi) April 22, 2019
What a fantastic innings by Ajinkya Rahane. Play this way more often please, in T20s. And he's done it against Rabada, Ishant, Morris and Mishra. #RRvDC
— Saurabh Somani (@saurabh_42) April 22, 2019
YES YES ??
Well Done Ajinkya Rahane, Outstanding Knock ! ??#RRvDC #IPL2019 #HallaBol #RR @ajinkyarahane88
— Akhil Gupta ? (@Guptastats92) April 22, 2019
Finally Rahane throws caution to the winds. On someone’s pushing or on his own? Does not matter. Shows he has the T20 shots, it was just his mind holding him back. #RR
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) April 22, 2019
https://twitter.com/ShayanAcharya/status/1120354600475742209
Great to see rahane getting a fantastic 100…dnt know when exactly he lost his confidence n rythm…but rahane cn be an asset for team india in future…he just has to be a confident lad @ajinkyarahane88 @indiatvnews
— Samip Rajguru (@samiprajguru) April 22, 2019
It's a free-flowing innings from Rahane after a prolonged gap. He looked altogether a different batsman tonight. Some improvisation & some class. All in all, he bas been set free from a captaincy burden. What a knock on a surface which had been sluggish overall. #IPL2019 #RRvDC
— Tahir Ibn Manzoor (@TahirIbnManzoor) April 22, 2019
Rahane is minting gaps in Jaipur. He seems to enjoy his time off as a franchise captain.#RRvDC
— ?????? ????? (@GautamSodhi1) April 22, 2019
The best I have seen Rahane play in T20 cricket. Just based his game on timing and touch #RRvDC
— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) April 22, 2019
Oh when Ajinkya Rahane gets going, he is a treat to the eyes. Times the ball with perfection, a lot of flamboyance in his game. #RRvDC #IPL2019
— Gautam Chauhan? (@Gautamchauhan2) April 22, 2019
Well Played, Ajinkya. Very few T20 centuries are bereft of power….this one was. Rare. All timing. ☺️?♂️ #RRvDC #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 22, 2019
Wow Rahane…saves his best for #Delhi. Hoping not to Jinx The Jinx. #RRvDC #IPL
Side Note: what must Ishant be thinking right now ?
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 22, 2019