‘Mahi bhai’s instruction was clear…’: Ajinkya Rahane reveals conversations with MS Dhoni behind his 61 off 27

New Delhi: Chennai Super Kings won the IPL’s El Clasico against Mumbai Indians and Ajinkya Rahane’s 61 off 27 balls was the highlight of the show. Rahane got a chance in the playing XI as Ben Stokes got injured, Moeen Ali was ill and the team management decided to play Ambadi Rayudu to play as an impact player. The Mumbaikar batter playing for CSK showed his class at Wankhede Stadium.

Post-match, both Ajinkya Rahane and MS Dhoni revealed the conversation they had before IPL commenced, which inspired the batter to play such an inning. Rahane told that Dhoni’s instructions were clear, he asked him to back his game and play to his strengths. He added that ‘Mahi bhai’ told him that if his intent is good, he has shots to play at any ground.

MS Dhoni also said that before IPL, he told ‘Jinx’ to play to his strengths and use his ability to ‘manipulate the fields’. Thala asked him to go and enjoy, and not take stress as the team is there to back him.

Me and Jinx spoke at the start of the season and I told him to play to his strengths, use your ability to manipulate the fields. I told him to go and enjoy, don’t take stress and we’ll back you – Thala #MIvCSK #WhistlePodu #Yellove ??

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 8, 2023

Indian cricket is full of stories right from Joginder Sharma bowling the last over in the 2007 T20 World Cup where MS Dhoni backed a player and instilled confidence in them to succeed.

Talking about his inning, Ajinkya said that bowling first gave him an idea of how the ball and the wicket were behaving, and when chasing 150 or 160, one has to ‘bat with intent’ in the powerplay. He said that every player is different and he has always tried to be Ajinkya Rahane and has not tried to copy anyone else.

In the game, after a great start from Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan, MI could manage only 157 as Ravindra Jadeja and Mitchell Santner picked wickets and restricted the batters. Jadeja ended up with the figures of 20/3 while Santner picked 2 for 28.

Rahane’s 61 off 27 helped CSK to chase the game easily after Jason Behrendorff dismissed Devon Conway in the first over. Ruturaj Gaikwad played the anchor with his 40* off 36.