RAHANE SHINES AS COMEBACK KINGS REGALE IPL LOVERS

It would have seemed a farfetched fairy-tale if the Rahane comeback was a Bollywood saga. But the real-life story of Ajinkya Rahane in IPL-2023 seems more sensational and satisfying than any reel-life saga. Rahane seems to have found a fresh lease of life after joining MS Dhoni’s side where his explosive hitting has surprised many in an IPL season where several veterans are making a powerful statement.

Though he’s usually seen as a rather sedate and conservative batter, at Chennai Super Kings Rahane has scored 209 runs in his first five matches at an amazing strike rate of 199.05 - the second highest strike rate for a season in IPL history! As the third highest scorer for CSK with two fifties and an insane strike-rate, the selectors had little hesitation in recalling Rahane to the national side. As of now, Rahane has aggregated 224 runs in six innings, averaging 44.8 and at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 189.83.

From being on the fringes of even IPL sides last year, Rahane could well figure in the playing XI for Team India in WTC Final. He takes the place of injured Shreyas Iyer and Surya Kumar Yadav has not even been included in the squad. A day after his India comeback for the World Test Championship final, Rahane even shared his mantra for success in a social media post saying that he only focuses on things that he can control.

Though Rahane captained Mumbai during the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy and made 634 runs at an average of 57.64, including two centuries, it is doubtful that he might have been recalled to national duty just by his success in first-class cricket. It must be remembered that a night before the BCCI announced the Indian squad, Rahane had sizzled with a 29-ball 71 in a Player-of-the-match winning effort for CSK against Kolkata Knight Riders. Rahane’s return to Team India underlines once again how the IPL has become a critical platform for players to win higher honours.

PIYUSH CHAWLA
Among bowlers, Piyush Chawla seems to be the big story. He is the leading wicket taker for Mumbai Indians. Chawla produced the goods with the ball for Mumbai to register their first win of the season when the wily leg-spinner shone with 3 for 22 in a brilliant spell against Delhi Capitals. Till now Chawla has picked up 11 wickets in the seven matches he has played for MI at an economy of 7.11. Most experts reckon that Chawla needs to be the top wicket-taker for Mumbai to have a chance of clinching the IPL trophy this year.

AMIT MISHRA
His chief leg-spinning rival in his hey-days, Amit Mishra, is also playing a key role for Lucknow at the ripe age of 40. Mishra has picked up 4 wickets in 4 matches with an excellent economy rate of 6.5. His efforts have pushed the Lucknow Super Giants in the top 4 of the points table. Former India offspinner Harbhajan Singh reckons the ‘Impact Substitute’ rule allows veteran cricketers like Chawla and Mishra to leave a significant impact on every game they play because they are both seasoned campaigners and as they come on to bowl just 3-4 overs, they can give their best in that duration.

MOHIT SHARMA
Among pacers, Mohit Sharma, for Gujarat Titans has surprised many. He was a vital cog for Chennai till a few years back but then an injury put him out of action. He spent most of the 2022 season as net bowler for the Gujarat side but finally got an opportunity to play in 2023. Mohit has an amazing economy rate of 4.66 this year apart from 4 wickets as well. He is now an important part of the Gujarat Titans setup as they race to find a spot in the playoffs.

ISHANT SHARMA
One of India’s best fast bowlers of the past decade and a veteran of 100 plus Test matches, Ishant Sharma has figured in IPL after two years for Delhi Capitals. He made an impact in his very first game with a fine spell that fetched him 2 wickets. Ishant won ‘Player of the Match’ award against Kolkata Knight Riders and bowled an excellent spell against Sunrisers Hyderabad as well.

While the adage — ‘old is gold’ — is seldom relevant in sport but nobody defies age like India’s legendary skipper, MS Dhoni. He is still one of the best captains to be leading an IPL team and his tactical manoeuvres have meant that Chennai Super Kings are at the top of the points table with 5 wins. His team, often regarded as the ‘oldies brigade’ are well on their way to IPL glory and prove that age is just a number!

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

SIDDHAARTH MAHAN The writer is a specialist on Sports and Cinema who works as an actor in the Hindi film industry