IPL 10: Ajinkya Rahane credits KKR for playing better cricket

Rising Pune Supergiant opener Ajinkya Rahane started off IPL 10 on a high. He got a brilliant match-winning fifty against the Mumbai Indians but soon lost his plot in the matches that followed. Recently, he got back to form with a gritty knock of 46 against the Kolkata Knight Riders. However, the knock went in vain as KKR registered a 7 wicket win against RPS.

In the post-match press conference, Ajinkya Rahane commended the KKR team for coming up with a better show in the match. He admitted that the dropped catches cost them the match. Jaydev Unadkat had dropped a sitter of Robin Uthappa in the early stages of the match. After the let off, Uthappa went on to plunder a match-winning 87. Rahane stressed that 180 odd could have been defended.

“Credit goes to their batsmen. Ya, that (dropped catches) happens on the field. No one does it intentionally. It’s part and parcel of the game. I thought they batted really well, especially Robin after that dropped catch, he literally dominated our bowlers. So, they played really well, better than us. After we batted, we thought 180 odd runs were a good total on this wicket. But because of the dew, it was slightly difficult for the bowlers,” quoted Ajinkya Rahane.

Speaking about his own form, Rahane remarked that he is feeling in good shape at the moment. All that he needs to do is to convert the good starts to big scores. He is feeling good as a batsman at the crease and is hopeful of doing well in the coming fixtures for Rising Pune Supergiant.

“As I mentioned even last night in Mumbai, I’m batting really well, feeling really well at the moment. It’s about converting those 40s into 70s and 80s. That’s what I’m looking for. Unfortunately got out on 46 today and 38 in Mumbai, but feeling really well at the moment as a batsman. It’s important for top 2-3 batsmen to score 70-80 in this format so that team can do well,” he quoted.

In the Rising Pune Supergiants squad, one man has been under the scrutiny ever since the season commenced. MS Dhoni, the former skipper, played a decent cameo in the match against KKR. Talking about Dhoni, Ajinkya Rahane pointed out that the star Indian batsman has started to find his feet at the crease. The way he has started hitting the deliveries in the last few games is a big positive for the Supergiant.

“See he’s been fantastic. I think the other night against Sunrisers, the way he batted. He was so cool and calm under pressure. Today it was the perfect situation for him to play his natural game because we [Rahane and Steven Smith] laid the foundation really well. It was a fantastic knock by him, 10 balls 28-30 odd runs. It is good to have him back in form and I am sure he will do well in the coming games,” said Rahane about Dhoni.

RPS struggled with their opening combinations in the first few matches. However, ever since Rahul Tripathi has joined hands with Rahane in the top order, things have been pretty good for RPS in the top order. Rahane noted that Tripathi has been doing a fantastic job of taking the pressure off him in the top order.

“Yes he has been batting really well. It becomes a bit easier for me when he plays his shots at the other end. My role is to give strike to him and set a good foundation. In T20, I feel if you could get 45-50 runs in first 6 overs, then other batsmen can come and strike the ball really well,” conceded Rahane.