Despite being the batsman with least runs in the team, I am the happiest today: Rahane.
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Mumbai: This Ranji Trophy season was very bad for Ajinkya Rahane with the bat but he was the ‘happiest player’ at the Wankhede Stadium here on Thursday, under whose captaincy the team became the champion of this top domestic tournament for the 42nd time. Mumbai won the title by defeating Vidarbha by 169 runs.
Rahane scored only 214 runs during this season. He finished ninth in the table of highest run-scorers for Mumbai this season. However, he scored 73 runs in the second innings of the final and made a partnership of 130 runs, taking the match out of Vidarbha’s reach.
“I am one of the lowest scorers for my team, but today I am the happiest,” Rahane said at the awards ceremony after the match. As a player you have to face good and bad times. It’s about creating a positive atmosphere in the dressing room and enjoying each other’s success. This is a special moment for me.
“Last season we missed qualifying for the knockout stage by one run,” he said. We had to create the right environment in the team. We were successful in creating a fitness culture in the team. I would like to thank MCA for all the support.” Rahane praised Vidarbha for showing great spirit on the fourth and fifth day of the match.
He said, “I would like to praise the struggle of Vidarbha. It is easy to give up while chasing the target of 538 runs for victory but they showed the spirit to fight. Man of the match Musheer Khan and man of the tournament Tanush Kotian were grateful for their captain’s guidance.
“I enjoyed batting with him,” Musheer said. During our partnership, he understood very well what was expected from me.” Kotian thanked Rahano for helping him unleash his true batting potential, leading him to score more than 500 runs in the season.
“Last year I got a little more confident in my batting and worked hard with my father,” he said. Ajju Dada (this is how the Mumbai team youngsters address him) also helped me a lot. Rahane praised retired fast bowler Dhawal Kulkarni and said that considering his contribution to Mumbai cricket, it would be an understatement to say anything about him. Kulkarni has played six Ranji Trophy finals for Mumbai and won it five times. Kulkarni had already announced his retirement after the conclusion of this season.
Rahano said, “We have been playing together for Mumbai since the Under-14 era. We toured India Under-19 (New Zealand) together. Whatever I say in his praise will be less. His contribution has been commendable.
The post Despite being the least run-scoring batsman in the team, today I am the happiest: Rahane appeared first on Dainik Savera Times | Hindi News Portal.
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