Follow UsAjinkya Rahane, the newly appointed skipper of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has shown confidence in himself and his process ahead of the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Notably, the 36-year-old batter from Mumbai has been in good form in the T20 format, being the leading run scorer in the last edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), scoring 469 runs at a strike rate of 164.56.
Speaking at an event in Mumbai, Rahane affirmed that his process stays simple regardless of the task ahead of him.
“It was always about being an anchor and the others would play around me. last 2-3 years, it's always about playing with freedom, fearless cricket and go out and back my game," Rahane said in an online interview.
"I am trying to do that but it's about following my processes and routines and staying loyal and truthful to the game.
“For me, personally, batting-wise I am doing really well. Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy was really good for me, I had a really good domestic season. So, I am really confident about myself.”
Rahane remarked that he just tries to stay calm and believe in himself, which he plans to continue while captaining KKR as well.
"It is just about staying in the moment, staying calm and keep backing myself, not to think too much ahead and not to think about the past. It's always about improving and enjoying my game,” the KKR skipper said.
“Obviously, what has happened in the past keeps playing on the mind but, as a cricketer, your mind is always in the moment, in the present, to do well in that game to win the match.”
“Our team is really good, everyone is playing really well,” Rahane said on the KKR squad.
“We had a camp in Mumbai, all the domestic players were here but international players are also playing which is really good," he said.
"We won the championship last year but again this year it is about starting from the scratch, starting from zero. T20 is a funny format and IPL is a challenging tournament.
“I am happy and humbled to be captain of the KKR team. We would like to keep it simple, take one game at a time and stay in the moment and enjoy the format.”
Rahane congratulated India for winning the semifinal against Australia and making it to the final.
“Very happy that India has won the semifinal against Australia and have entered the final. I want to congratulate the team and I am sure they will do well in the final," Rahane said.
"What happened in the past is gone, the team must be thinking about the present and their aim was to beat to beat Australia in the semifinal.”