Ajinkya Rahane has been appointed as the captain of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. With this appointment, he joins the ranks of newly named captains like Shreyas Iyer and Rajat Patidar, who will also lead their respective franchises in the upcoming season.
While KKR may transition from one captain to the other, for Rahane the captaincy is not something new. The 36-year-old boasts as one of the most successful former skipper of the Indian team with an emphatic record in a short period that he has led the team.
Rahane’s remarkable record as the captain of the Indian cricket team
Rahane’s run as skipper of the Indian cricket team was brief but impressive. In December 2020, he captained India to a historic Test series victory in Australia, with a memorable triumph in the 4th Test at Brisbane, ending the home side’s 32-year unbeaten run at the venue. Rahane played a key role, scoring an essential 112 runs in the second Test. Throughout his leadership, he boasted an unbeaten record, securing four wins and two draws from six Tests.
Rahane’s record as captain in One Day Internationals (ODIs) is perfect, with India winning all three matches he led, giving him a 100% win rate. In Test cricket, Rahane captained India in 6 matches, achieving four victories, two draws. His composed approach and sharp strategic insights have left a lasting legacy in Indian cricket.
Also Read: From Sourav Ganguly to Ajinkya Rahane: Full list of KKR captains in IPL history
Rahane’s record as captain in the IPL
Rahane has captained a total of 25 IPL matches between 2017 and 2019, leading both Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS). His captaincy record stands at 9 wins and 16 losses, resulting in a win percentage of 36%. Under his leadership, Royals made it to the playoffs in the 2018 season but fell short of reaching the final.
In 2017, Rahane captained one match for Supergiants in place of regular skipper Steve Smith, who was unavailable due to food poisoning. Rahane had also been a key player for RPS during the two seasons he played for the franchise, especially in the 2016 season, where he emerged as the team’s leading run-scorer.
In his two seasons as captain of Royals, Rahane led the team in 24 matches, but his leadership faced challenges. By the 2019 season, due to inconsistent performances, Rahane was replaced as captain midway through the tournament by Smith. Despite a modest win record, Rahane’s time as IPL captain was marked by his calm leadership and contribution as a key player for both teams.
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