New Delhi: Ajinkya Rahane continued his golden run in T20 cricket with another stunning knock in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024. The veteran batter smashed a blazing half-century in the SMAT semi-final to power Mumbai to a crushing win over Baroda. Rahane scored 98 off 56 balls as Mumbai cruised to the final of India’s premier T20 competition with a six-wicket win at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Rahane’s match-winning knock in SMAT semi-final
Chasing 165 to win, Mumbai cantered to win in just 17.2 overs thanks to Rahane’s third successive half-century in SMAT. Baroda bowlers were no match to Rahane’s brutal knock, which was studded with 11 boundaries and five sixes.
Besides Rahane, skipper Shreyas Iyer also made a useful contribution of 46 runs off 30 balls as the Ranji champions entered their second final of the domestic season and second in the history of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Rahane has been the chief contributor to Mumbai’s success in SMAT 2024. In seven innings, Rahane has amassed 432 runs – the highest total in this edition – at a stunning average of 61.71 and a Strike Rate of 169.41.
Ajinkya Rahane’s stellar SMAT 2024 performance and KKR’s wise investment
The 37-year-old batter has proven his doubters wrong with sensational displays in SMAT and has proven Kolkata Knight Riders’ decision to buy him at the Indian Premier League (IPL) mega-auction in November. Rahane, released by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on retention deadline day, was bought by KKR for Rs 1.5 crore.
Questions were raised on KKR’s move to buy the veteran, who was seen as a spent force in T20 cricket by pundits and fans.
However, since joining the Knight Riders, Rahane, the T20 batter, has been reborn in the last month or so.
KKR fans would be rejoicing in the re-emergence of Rahane, who is also a top contender to lead KKR, who let go of their skipper Shreyas Iyer, who is leading Mumbai in SMAT. While Iyer is the skipper, Rahane, being a senior member of the team, has displayed superb leadership skills in the T20 competition.
His incredible batting stats in SMAT 2024 proves why KKR made the right decision in showing faith in his abilities
Rahane’s T20 scores since joining KKR
– 13 (13).
– 52 (34).
– 68 (35).
– 22 (18).
– 95 (54).
– 84 (45) in Quarterfinal.
– 98 (56) in Semifinal.
With five fifties in seven innings, Rahane has powered Mumbai to the summit clash, where they await the winner of the semi-final between Delhi and Madhya Pradesh. It was Rahane who captained Mumbai to their maiden SMAT title in 2022 and, in all likelihood, will lead the team to their second title, albeit in a different role.
Ajinkya Rahane’s sensational form continued in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024, where he smashed 98 runs, propelling Mumbai to the final. His consistent performance, including five fifties in seven innings, has solidified his position as a key player and vindicated Kolkata Knight Riders’ decision to acquire him. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
