Intro
Veteran batter focuses on growth, shrugs off criticism, backs young bowling unit
Mumbai
Ajinkya Rahane has made it clear that he is no longer concerned about outside noise, insisting his focus remains firmly on self-improvement rather than proving his talent to critics. Leading Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League, the seasoned batter said he is content with his recent progress, particularly in white-ball formats.
Rahane’s fluent 40-ball 67 against Mumbai Indians on Sunday sparked fresh discussions about his form and future, but the 37-year-old remained unfazed. “Let people talk. I am not here to show anyone how talented I am,” he said, emphasizing that growth as a cricketer is his primary goal.
Having stepped down from Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy captaincy last season and staying out of India’s national setup since 2023, Rahane acknowledged the scrutiny but reiterated that it does not affect his mindset. Instead, he takes satisfaction in the improvements he has made over the past few years.
The KKR skipper also clarified that he was dealing with cramps during the latter part of the match, which the team lost by six wickets. Despite a strong batting effort that put KKR on course for a bigger total, he credited Jasprit Bumrah for delivering crucial overs that restricted the scoring.
Rahane admitted that KKR’s relatively inexperienced bowling attack needs time to develop. With players like Vaibhav Arora leading the unit alongside Karthik Tyagi and Blessing Muzarabani, the captain said the transition phase is challenging but offers opportunities for emerging players.
He added that the team combination would likely change once Cameron Green, currently recovering from a back issue, is fit to bowl again.
Backing under-fire spinner Varun Chakravarthy, Rahane said every player goes through difficult phases and stressed the importance of maintaining a positive mindset without overthinking setbacks.
