Ajinkya Rahane perhaps too keen to perform, feels RPS coach Stephen Fleming

Save his 60 in his first match of the tournament, Rising Pune Supergiant opener Ajinkya Rahane hasn’t been in the best of forms in this IPL. Rahane has failed to provide a solid start to the Supergiant’s innings, having got out cheaply on 5 occasions now.

Although he isn’t always a big shot player, Rahane can play the long innings and score quick runs for his side. However, a string of low scores from the opener will compel him to prove a point in the second Maharashtra derby of the season on the occasion of Tendulkar’s 44th birthday.

Rising Pune Supergiant coach Stephen Fleming felt that Rahane is perhaps too eager to do well which is what is hindering him from excelling in ODIs and T20s, in the way he plays Test cricket. “He played well against Mumbai with the extra pace on the ball and is trying to push those rumours (of him not being a good short format player) and prove a point,” Fleming said.

The former New Zealand batsman shared that when such pressure to perform weighs a batsman down, he is forced to play outside of his natural rhythm.

“What he does when he’s batting normally is good enough. But it’s almost as if he feels the need to do more because people don’t respect the job that he does. All opening batsmen have that anxiety to get underway. He needs to stay calm and play like he can. That’s going to be his challenge in one-day cricket,” Fleming added.

Rahane has been criticized for not being able to score quickly in the ongoing IPL. Nevertheless, when he has got going, he’s been quite unstoppable. The Mumbai-lad played several wonderful knocks during his stint with the Rajasthan Royals. He boasts of the highest score of 103 not out in T20s.

The Rising Pune Supergiant are finding a hint of momentum going into the second half of the tournament. As for Rahane, he will look to make a statement with the bat and also ease the pressure off the top order batsmen.