Cricket Editorial Indian Cricket IPL IPL 2025

Ajinkya Rahane, the accidental skipper, could be IPL’s surprise package

March 14, 2025
<a href="https://revsportz.in/author/boria/" rel="author" class="url fn n" itemprop="url"><img alt='' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e660b408ca5a915f1c718d0cd98a879b?s=32&d=mm&r=g' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e660b408ca5a915f1c718d0cd98a879b?s=64&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-32 photo' height='32' width='32' decoding='async'/> <span class="" itemprop="name">Boria Majumdar</span></a>
Ajinkya Rahane for KKR (Image: KKR)

Ajinkya Rahane as captain is a gamble. And Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), one has to argue, are used to taking calculated risks. As captain, there is no doubting his nous. Australia 2021 was evidence of how good he is. To lead an Indian side without six or seven key players and beat Australia in Australia was no less than a miracle. Rahane had successfully crafted a fairytale. But when it comes to T20 cricket, things are quite different. The truth is, he isn’t a T20 natural and, despite being a senior pro, has not really had an IPL career to write home about.

Yes, he did well for a time at Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and we did see a resurgence. But when compared to the nine other franchises, his choice as captain does raise eyebrows. But then, that’s the IPL for you. Calls that are out of the box often make a difference. And with Rahane, it could well turn out to be a masterstroke.

Rahane, it is expected, will bring out all his experience, and at no point will he get flustered during a run chase. He will make sure that he never loses control. For CSK, more than the runs scored, the manner in which they were stood out for me. Calm and composed, Rahane was out there to make a statement. He was out here to prove his class. Show once and for all the value of experience. And his range of shots. That’s what he did, and that’s what KKR will want him to do all season.

Rahane is all about effort. He may not be as talented as some of his compatriots, but he makes up for all of his deficiencies with hard work. Even when he wasn’t scoring, Rahane did not lose confidence. As he had said in the past, “I have to tell you I am feeling very good about my batting. I practiced as hard as was possible.”

 

It feels good to see Rahane back as captain. It will be even better to see him win a match on his own. Getting the fastest 50 of the season like he did off just 19 balls for CSK in April 2023. Make a statement. Soon after the IPL, the Indian team will leave for England and Rahane could still be an option. He has the game, and also a very good record in England.

It is to be seen how KKR does. It is also not known if they will play Rahane regularly going forward. What is known, however, is that with Rahane, there will never be a lack of effort. He will be up for the daily grind irrespective of the results, for Rahane is all about the process. And preparation. And hard work. And as the saying goes, good things happen to good people.

In sport, more often than not, self-belief and mental strength make all the difference. Like it did for Rahane in the last two seasons. That’s where you need to credit MS Dhoni. The one decision that proved decisive in the end. To push Ajinkya was yet another moment of brilliance from the CSK skipper. Now, it has helped Rahane get the KKR captaincy.

Will KKR continue to punt on Rahane going forward? And can the accidental skipper pull off yet another miracle like he did in Australia? Time will tell.