Thursday brought a rare moment when Ajinkya Rahane let frustration show, firing back at those who challenged his scoring speed after Kolkata Knight Riders fell short by 65 runs against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Hitting just eight off ten balls during the failed pursuit of 227 at Eden Gardens, where his side collapsed to 161 in 16 overs, the captain stood firm in defense. Instead of staying quiet, he pushed back hard – saying some voices carry hidden motives aimed directly at him. His argument? That numbers tell a different story – one placing him near the top among batters for strike-rate since IPL 2023. Moments like these do not come often, yet this time, silence wasn’t an option.
Rahane’s numbers back up his case – the man ranks fourth for strike rate after 300-plus balls faced when the powerplay rolls around post-2023. Through those early overs, 552 runs have come from just 329 balls, pushing a 167.78 strike rate alongside a steady 69 average across 31 knocks. Yet once past that opening phase, cracks begin to show whenever he stays out there later on.
“I think I have one of the best strike rates so far from 2023. People who are talking about me (are) probably not watching the game or they have a certain agenda against me. They don’t like me playing. They don’t like to watch me play,” he said in the post-match press conference.
Falling to 131.11 when up against spin during the powerplay, his strike rate dips even more – landing at 114.02 between overs seven and fifteen.
Folks seem bothered by my success, Rahane remarks
Fire blazed from Ajinkya Rahane once more when faced with backlash, calling out those who question him – success tends to stir envy, after all. Instead of backing down, he stood firm, explaining how plans shift even when intent stays sharp at the start. Momentum did not follow, though, during the tense chase where runs proved hard to find. Yet, truth sits here too – he cracked a striking fifty in Kolkata’s first match versus Mumbai. That knock remains, loud and clear.
Success came my way, maybe that’s why they’re bitter. Worry doesn’t sit heavy on me. You lot understand my path. One rough stretch at bat – more than just numbers, my drive stayed strong. Now here’s when things feel off at the crease – timing slips, movement stutters. Those voices chiming in? Maybe they’ve never faced a bowler. Or maybe they’re hoping for a show I’m not putting on.
“They didn’t expect that Ajinkya Rahane will basically prove his game this much. So I am happy they are talking about me, negative or positive, either way. I am really happy that they are talking. Let them talk,” Rahane added.