Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bowling consultant Eric Simons isn’t surprised by Ajinkya Rahane’s heroics for the four-time champions in the league stage of the IPL 2023. The 34-year-old has revamped himself in this edition of the Indian Premier League scoring at a quick pace for the CSK side.
The Mumbai-born cricketer made his debut for Chennai Super Kings against five-time champions and played an explosive knock of 61 runs off just 27 balls. He has contributed to the team’s success in the last few games.
“It is something that does not surprise me at all. I think people misunderstand T20 cricket, batting in particular. There are different ways of playing this game,” Eric Simons said ahead of CSK’s match against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Ajinkya Rahane, who was discarded from the Indian setup following his poor form, made an impact for the four-time champions straight away as he stunned everyone with his brilliant performance in the league having scored 129 runs from three matches at a whopping strike rate of 195.45. Simons lauded him as a clever cricketer and said that his game has grown this year.
“It is important to find your way and who you are. Ajinkya Rahane is a very clever cricketer. He has found his way of playing the game (T20) and he has been very effective, He plays traditional cricket shots. He has got a particular way and he has grown tremendously.”
The Indian Veteran was purchased for the base price of INR 50 lakhs by the Chennai-based side in the IPL auction 2023. Rahane has been in the fine for the Mumbai team and he has scored 634 runs in seven Ranji games for Mumbai in the 2023 season.
He’s Grown Tremendously In Understanding Himself In The Game – Eric Simons
The former South African cricketer heaped praise on young pace bowling sensation Matheesha Pathirana for his terrific bowling performance against the Royal Challengers Bangalore and said that the Srilankan pacer is growing strength to strength in the last 12 months playing for his country and franchise league around the globe.
“We have a saying, not just the what, it’s the why’. And if you understand the why of a technique, then you can change and move accordingly. So he’s grown tremendously in understanding himself in the game. Last year he was very, very young in terms of experience. 12 months down the line and he’s arrived knowing he’s getting better,” Eric Simons added.
The Baby Malinga was impressive in the end overs of Chennai Super Kings, as he held his nerves to bowl the important 18th and 20th over for his side. He conceded only 14 runs in his final two overs and picked an important wicket of Shabaz Ahmed and Suyash Prabhudessai and will look to continue his fine form against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Friday.