Ajinkya Rahane Turns 35: Chennai Super Kings Batter’s Top-Five Knocks in IPL 2023

Happy birthday Ajinkya Rahane: In terms of runs, the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) might not have been Ajinkya Rahane’s best season. But when it comes to leaving a lasting impression, the Maharashtra batsman has probably delivered his best performance this year. Eventually, the IPL 2023 season helped Rahane make a grand comeback in the Indian team for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia.

Playing under MS Dhoni in the Chennai Super Kings jersey, Rahane ended his IPL 2023 campaign scoring 326 runs at a strike rate of 172.49. He also scored two half-centuries in this season’s IPL. Rahane’s stellar performance played a key role in helping Chennai clinch a record-equalling fifth IPL title this year.

As Ajinkya Rahane celebrates his 35th birthday, it is time to take a look at his top five innings in IPL 2023.

1. 71 not out vs KKR
   Ajinkya Rahane registered his highest score of IPL 2023 edition against Kolkata Knight Riders. Rahane played a brilliant knock of 71 not out in 29 balls to help Chennai Super Kings reach a mammoth score of 235. Rahane’s blistering innings included six fours and five sixes. MS Dhoni’s men eventually won the encounter quite comfortably by 49 runs.
2. 61 vs Mumbai Indians
   After not representing Chennai Super Kings in the first two matches of the season, Ajinkya Rahane was named in the playing XI during the match against Mumbai Indians. Rahane, playing his first IPL match of the season, didn’t need another invitation to make the most of the opportunity. Rahane played a brilliant inning of 61 runs in just 27 balls to take his team to a seven-wicket win.
3. 31 vs Rajasthan Royals
   Chasing a target of 176, Ajinkya Rahane played another crucial knock of 31 off 19 balls against Rajasthan Royals. However, Rahane’s blistering knock went in vain as Chennai Super Kings suffered a three-run defeat against Rajasthan.
4. 37 vs Royal Challengers Bangalore
   Ajinkya Rahane continued his amazing run with the bat in the next match against Royal Challengers Bangalore and contributed 37 runs in just 20 balls. Rahane hit three fours and two sixes for his crucial performance against Bangalore. Batting first, Chennai Super registered a solid total of 226. Chennai eventually won the match by eight runs-bangalore-vs-chennai-super-kings-24th-match-1359498/full-scorecard
5. 27 vs Gujarat Titans
   The IPL 2023 final between Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans may well be remembered for Ravindra Jadeja’s match-winning last-ball finish, but Ajinkya Rahane’s crucial innings in the summit clash will be hard to ignore. Chasing a revised target of 171, Rahane played a crucial 13-ball 27 to keep his side in the contest. MS Dhoni-led Chennai beat Gujarat by five wickets to win a record-equalling fifth IPL title.