Playing fearless cricket while remaining calm has worked for me in shortest format: Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane credits success to fearless cricket, calm approach in IPL, domestic T20s, confident for upcoming IPL season.

Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane has credited his success in the Indian Premier League and domestic T20s to playing "fearless cricket" while remaining calm.

The 36-year-old topped the batting charts in the previous edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with 469 runs, including five half-centuries, at a strike rate of 164.56. His aggressive approach also paid off in the IPL where he was the batting mainstay for Chennai Super Kings in the last two editions.

"It was always about being an anchor and the others would play around me. (But the) last 2-3 years, it's always about playing with freedom, fearless cricket and go out and back my game," Rahane, the brand ambassador of Skillhub Online Games Federation, said here on Tuesday (March 4, 2025).

"I am trying to do that (play fearless cricket) but it's (also) about following my processes and routines and staying loyal and truthful to the game." Rahane, who led Mumbai into semi-finals in the Ranji Trophy and scored 467 runs, said he would carry the confidence from domestic cricket into the upcoming edition of the IPL.

"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," he said.

"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," he added.

Rahane felt that India's victory in the Champions Trophy semifinal in Dubai on Tuesday could also be attributed to the side not dwelling into the past record against Australia in the knockouts of ICC tournaments.