Approximately four years ago, Ajinkya Rahane was in Australia, captaining the Indian cricket team to a remarkable series victory in a challenging environment. The team faced numerous injuries, with players being sidelined frequently. Nevertheless, Rahane's exceptional leadership was pivotal as India achieved a stunning comeback, successfully chasing 328 runs on the final day to secure a 2-1 series win, marking Australia's first defeat at the Gabba since 1988.

Fast forward to 2024, and the landscape has shifted significantly. Rahane is no longer a member of India's Test squad; however, this did not deter him from commemorating India's return to the Gabba. On the eve of India's match against Australia at a venue filled with cherished memories for him, the seasoned batter electrified the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy tournament, scoring 98 runs off 56 balls to propel Mumbai into the final. Rahane's innings included 11 fours and 5 sixes, successfully chasing down Baroda's target of 159 runs.

"The message from them was clear: go out there and play your natural game," Rahane remarked following the match. "It was never about playing an anchor role while others contributed. From other teams, the guidance I received was to play until the 15-16 overs mark while others would support. This is why I maintained a strike rate of 120-130. However, the last two years have significantly enhanced my performance in the shorter format."

Rahane, who last represented India in a Test match against the West Indies last year, has demonstrated outstanding performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT). Notably, he scored 98 runs in his third consecutive half-century, following innings of 95 against Andhra and 84 against Vidarbha. His consistent batting is promising for the IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders, which acquired him for ₹1.5 crore during the IPL 2025 mega auction.

After Prithvi Shaw's early dismissal, Rahane formed a significant partnership of 88 runs with Shreyas Iyer, who contributed 46 runs off 30 balls. Rahane anchored the innings and nearly guided the team to victory. Just two runs shy of his century, he was dismissed but had already secured a comfortable path for Mumbai into the finals. Rahane aggressively targeted every bowler, including his former India teammate Hardik Pandya, against whom he scored 15 runs, featuring a four and a six.

Ajinkya Rahane on fire

Rahane has emerged as the leading run-scorer in the 2024/25 SMAT, amassing a total of 432 runs across 7 innings, boasting an impressive average of 61.71 and a strike rate of 169.41. This achievement marks his fifth half-century of the season, having recorded consecutive scores of 52 against Maharashtra and 62 against Kerala during the round-robin phase.

"I do not rely heavily on strength, and my approach is not centred on power hitting. For me, the key lies in timing the ball effectively. However, I also emphasize the importance of intent from the very first ball. It is crucial to extend my defence across all shots. Therefore, my focus remains on that aspect. I avoid trying to force my shots or play excessively aggressive strokes. It is fundamentally about timing the ball and consistently maintaining my form," Ajinkya Rahane elaborated.

Baroda's batting and bowling performances fell short of expectations. Four batters managed to get starts but failed to convert them into significant contributions. Each of Mumbai's six bowlers claimed a wicket. Hardik's performance was disappointing, as he was dismissed caught and bowled by Shivam Dube for just 5 runs, while captain Krunal managed to score 30 runs off 24 balls.

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