IPL Auction 2022: I consider myself a T20 player also, have improved a lot and am looking forward to the auction, says Ajinkya Rahane | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: There is a perception that Ajinkya Rahane is an out and out Test cricketer only. That viewpoint has gained traction over the years, with Rahane losing his spot in the Indian limited overs sides. He hasn’t played an ODI since February 2018 and a T20I since August 2016.
But Rahane has been putting in the hard yards in domestic limited overs cricket. He sent the bowlers to the cleaners in the last edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament. Rahane was the highest run-getter for Mumbai and third-highest overall, scoring 286 runs in just 5 outings at an average of 57.20. He also had the joint-most number of half-centuries in the tournament – four and recorded the highest partnership of 151 runs with Prithvi Shaw (against Baroda) in the tournament.

With the IPL auction now around the corner, Rahane is expecting to attract bids for himself in the mega auction.
Rahane, who has set his base price at Rs 1 crore for the IPL player auction 2022, said he doesn’t brand himself just as a Test player but also someone who is capable enough of scoring at a brisk rate in limited overs cricket too.

“First of all, I consider myself a T20 player (also). I don’t brand myself as a Test player only. I love the Test format, but I consider myself as a T20 player also. You all know my T20 records. I was given a role at Rajasthan Royals and I performed consistently and justified that role. I performed the way the team wanted. If I was given another role, I would have performed in that way. For whatever time I played for Rajasthan Royals, I was given a specific role and I think I batted really well,” Rahane told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview.

(BCCI/IPL Photo)
“Even with RPS (Rising Pune Supergiant), I was given a specific role and I gave my best in those two years. I have consistently scored runs there. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali, I batted differently and scored with a different strike rate. I played as per the match situation. Apart from being a Test cricketer, I consider myself a T20 player also. I am a utility player. ” the 33 year old former India Test vice captain further told TimesofIndia.com.

Rahane, who played just 2 games at Delhi Capitals last year, was the top scorer for the Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2019, with 393 runs in 14 matches at an average of 32.75. He was also the third-highest run-getter for his team (RR) in the 2018 season, scoring 370 runs in 15 matches at an average of 28.46.
In the two seasons he played for Rising Pune Supergiants (in 2016 and 2017), Rahane scored 480 runs in 14 matches and 370 runs in 15 matches, respectively.

“I am really looking forward to this year’s IPL auction. I played for Rajasthan Royals. I consistently did well there. In between, I played for RPS (Rising Pune Supergiant) also for two years as well. I did well there too. This year, Syed Mushtaq Ali was very good. If you see the last two years, I haven’t played so many IPL matches. I wanted to play white-ball cricket and score consistently. I am really happy that I could play well in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and do well for the Mumbai team,” Rahane said.

“I am really happy with my batting (in T20s). Yes, I am really looking forward to this IPL auction. I have improved a lot in the T20s and I am really looking forward to this season. My best IPL moment was getting a hundred against Delhi Capitals and of course RCB. Receiving a golden bat during the Champions League was another good moment for me. I have it in me to play T20 cricket and I am really looking forward to it (next IPL season),” he further told TimesofIndia.com. .
“With this auction, for me, playing matches is very important. I am looking forward to playing as many games as possible. Playing games and contributing to the team. Even with the leadership role. With the experience I have, I don’t talk too much about it, but if you look at my stats in the IPL, playing 150 odd games and averaging almost 32. I didn’t play many games in the last 2 years so this time I am looking forward to playing matches, scoring consistently, and want to contribute as much as possible for whichever team I will play for,” Rahane signed off.