IPL 2022: How long before Rahane's lack of intent costs KKR?

IPL 2022: KKR have not conventionally been a conservative team at the top. So why are they persisting with Ajinkya Rahane?

Ajinkya Rahane is 33 years old. He played his last white ball game in national colours way back in 2018, and has not been in the scheme of things since then. Once a dynamic batsman in world cricket, Rahane's influence and style of play has faded over the years, as teams prefer sheath anchors at the excess of 130 Strike Rate these days.

Rahane's stocks have significantly faded over the past two years, with inconsistent returns in the Test set-up, with his intent being questioned even in the longest format.

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Just when it seemed like international cricket had moved on from Rahane after he went back into the Ranji Trophy to find form, came the Indian Premier League mega-auctions. Against all odds, Kolkata Knight Riders showed faith in the enigmatic right-hander. Rahane was bought at his base price of Rs 1 crore as their first choice opener in the 2022 season.

The move raised eyebrows, considering KKR head coach Brendon McCullum has been very vocal about blistering starts at the top order in the T20 game. When KKR were in a slump in the 2020 season of the IPL, Brendon McCullum always put the onus on the openers on an intent filled start. And that's why it felt odd.

Rahane to KKR - really? After letting Shubman Gill go to Gujarat Titans?

And that's how it has been.