IPL 2023: Eoin Morgan likens Ajinkya Rahane batting to Brendon McCullum

Kolkata, April 24: Former England captain Eoin Morgan has likened Chennai Super Kings' in-form batter Ajinkya Rahane's batting to the Indian Premier League great and former New Zealand star Brendon McCullum.

Rahane scored an unbeaten fifty as Chennai Super Kings beat the Kolkata Knight Riders by 49 runs and moved to the top of the points table in an important IPL 2023 matchup at the iconic Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata.

Batting first, CSK saw three players score half-centuries. Shivam Dube had (50 off 21 balls), Devon Conway (56 off 40 balls), and Rahane (71 off 29 balls) as CSK amassed 235 runs - the highest ever at the Eden Gardens in the IPL.

In response, Jason Roy top scored for KKR with 61 off 26 balls. Rinku Singh batted till the end and scored a half century, but it wasn't enough as KKR only scored 186 runs.

Rahane was adjudged the Player of the Match for his terrific batting and his new-found form led to Eoin Morgan comparing his new batting style to that of IPL legend Brendon McCullum.

"He's completely reinvented himself. This is closer to Brendon McCullum-style batting than Ajinkya Rahane. The strike rate in this tournament so far has been through the roof," Morgan said.

Morgan also stressed on the CSK management especially captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and head coach Stephen Fleming's role in Rahane's display so far this season.

"So many shots are not only elegant but incredibly destructive as well, helping things on the way. You have to sit back and admire what they've created. It just goes to show the clarity and freedom he's been given from Fleming and Dhoni to come out and play ridiculous shots."

Highest Strike Rate In IPL 2023: Ajinkya Rahane Leads The List Following Another Quickfire Fifty For CSK

Morgan also had a lot of positive comments for the CSK opening pair of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway, who had another great opening stint on Sunday (April 23) night.

"They are rolling with confidence and momentum and when you have a combination of that, it is hard to stop, particularly on such a small ground at Eden Gardens," Morgan said.

CSK set-up has been hailed for its ability to bring the best out of its players for years now and former CSK champion Robin Uthappa discussed why Rahane has had the career revival he's facing and why Chennai was the perfect place for him to do this.

"Ajinkya Rahane has found a new level and he's batting incredibly well. Today's innings prove that he's found a second wind in his career and it will go on for longer," JioCinema expert Uthappa said.

"There are a couple of things that separate this Chennai franchise from others. The first is role clarity, there is communication, and they're given confidence that if they get a chance, they can get at least four to five chances even if they don't score.

"Especially, if you are a proven senior professional. What more does a player want? A good player wants just this much. If you give a good player security, he'll 100% perform well."

Table-toppers CSK will next be in action in a potential top of the table clash against Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Thursday (April 27).