Ajinkya Rahane Ton Propels Mumbai to Ranji Trophy Semis: A Case For KKR Captaincy in IPL 2025?

Add as a preferred source on Google

Senior India cricketer Ajinkya Rahane has long been one of the most spirited players in the game, yet he has often been overlooked. His contributions as a stand-in captain during the Virat Kohli era were invaluable and cannot be understated.

Looking back at India's historic Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) victory four years ago, Rahane's leadership alongside coach Ravi Shastri was a masterclass in teamwork and strategy.

However, the sudden decision by BCCI selectors to drop Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara from the Test squad seems baffling. The emphasis on injecting "young blood" while sidelining Rahane as "too old" has proven to be a misstep. Players like Sarfaraz Khan and other promising youngsters have faded away without making a significant impact.

On Tuesday (February 11), Rahane silenced critics yet again with a well-crafted century, steering Mumbai into the Ranji Trophy semi-finals. The timing of this knock is significant, as discussions around India's preparations for the Test series in England later this year intensify.

For those focused on numbers, Rahane has been in exceptional form across all formats this 2024/25 season. Whether in the Ranji Trophy or domestic white-ball tournaments, he has consistently delivered. His ability to adapt, adjust, and remain the quintessential team player underscores his value, placing him firmly among the best in the game.

Sample this, he and Shreyas Iyer, who now seems to have cemented his position at No.4 in the ODI team, have been stellar performers for Mumbai. Shreyas got that big chance in the first ODI against England and went big. He scored in the second ODI as well.

The same luck has not smiled on Rahane, all because he is considered old. It's a joke, really. You look at some of the leading lights like Lewis Hamilton, LeBron James and a few more, they are all at 40.

Hamilton begins a new Formula One season with Ferrari, the most emotional team in the history of the sport. LeBron needs no detailing he is a legend in every sense if you follow even a bit of NBA. Likewise, Rahane continues to ply his trade in domestic cricket, still way below 40.

Given the failed experiments which India undertook in the middle order in 2024 in the Test side, Rahane deserves a chance. He is an inspirational man and at the same time so simple. If simplicity is misconstrued as nicety, be kind to Ajinkya Rahane.

There is chatter over who will be the next Kolkata Knight Riders captain in the IPL 2025 season. Rahane would be an obvious chance as leader, since he scored well in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy tournament as well in the recent season.

Rahane will not mind it even if he gets overlooked by KKR as captain. Truth be told, in the IPL, age has never been a factor, a prime example being Chris Gayle and MS Dhoni.

And the way Rohit Sharma has bounced back with a massive ton in the second ODI, nobody is talking about his age, going to be 38 this year. He is in supreme form and there are no doubts he can score and lead. So, why does Rahane, also on the wrong side of his 30s, get labelled as someone over the hill.

Sport is replete with instances where players have pushed hard. Novak Djokovic is 37 and still produces breathtaking shots in his tennis career. It was bad luck he was done in by a hamstring tear at the Australian Open.

Nevertheless, he is looking to bounce back after he recovers and be ready for the next two Grand Slams at least this season. Then again, the injury which Novak sustained was not due to age, it just happened.

In contrast, Rahane has been super fit. He does not need to show biceps or six-pack abs. What he has to showcase is batting prowess, which he did again with a timely ton on Tuesday.

Some athletes continue to perform, not bothering one bit about what they missed out on. That is a sign of greatness in modern sports. Cricket is blessed, Ajinkya Rahane is still there as a class act.