'They are jealous' - Ajinkya Rahane hits back strongly at naysayers over strike rate criticism

Ajinkya Rahane has launched a scathing attack on his critics who feel that his strike rate isn't up to the mark. While speaking after the chastening 65-run defeat at the hands of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in what was their first game at home (Eden Gardens) this season on Thursday, Rahane came back hard at his detractors, saying some people "don't like me playing. They don't like to watch me play."

"My strike rate... I have the best strike rate so far, from 2023. People who are talking are probably not watching the game or have a certain agenda against me," Rahane said. "They don't like me playing. They don't like to watch me play. The amount of success I've got, I guess they're jealous about that."

Rahane was nearly spot on with the numbers. While not the highest, Rahane has the second-highest strike rate (167.78) among players who have faced at least 250 deliveries in the powerplay of the Indian Premier League (IPL) since the 2023 edition. Sunrisers Hyderabad's explosive opener Abhishek Sharma is at the top of the charts with a strike rate of 176.56.

Rahane, 37, looked at the top of his game in KKR's season opener against five-time winners Mumbai Indians when he scored a 40-ball 57 with the help of three fours and five sixes at a strike rate of 167.50. However, the tables turned when the knights came back home, to the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, to play their first home fixture.

Chasing a daunting target of 227 against SRH, KKR needed to score at 11.35 per over, and Rahane, who came out to open alongside KKR's Impact Player, Finn Allen, struggled to find any rhythm whatsoever.

Rahane struggled to get the ball away against the left-arm orthodox duo of Harsh Dubey and Abhishek and got out after scoring a 10-ball 8, deceived by a slower one from Jaydev Unadkat, spooning a mistimed pull shot to Eshan Malinga, who was stationed at deep midwicket and came running in from the fence to take a good diving catch.

"I'm not too worried, yaar. My intent was there. Sometimes as a batter you don't get the rhythm or the flow. People who are talking either don't understand the game or they want me to play a different kind of innings. They didn't expect that Ajinkya Rahane would improve his game this much. I am happy they are talking about me - negative or positive. Let them talk. But partnering Finn Allen, it has been very good. The first six overs you need to look to play fearless cricket with freedom. At times you will struggle, that's okay, it's important to accept.

"But I know what I'm doing, I know what I've done in the past, and I back myself instead of thinking about what others are saying. Whoever are talking about it, let them talk," he added.