Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane is a vastly experienced right-handed batter whose T20 game has evolved significantly during the latter stages of his career. Traditionally known for timing, balance and classical strokeplay, Rahane has added greater attacking intent and a wider range of boundary options to become a more aggressive top-order player. His ability to score cleanly through the off side remains a major strength, but he is now far more willing to take on bowlers early in an innings.

Rahane's recent domestic and IPL performances have highlighted that transformation. He scored at an exceptional tempo during the 2024 and 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaigns and continued to make important contributions in the IPL, demonstrating that his game can adapt to modern T20 scoring demands. Rather than simply occupying the crease, he has increasingly looked to maximise the powerplay and maintain momentum against both pace and spin.

Experience remains one of Rahane's biggest assets in the shortest format. He has played for multiple IPL franchises, captained at the highest level and encountered virtually every type of match situation during a long professional career. That allows him to combine calculated aggression with composure, making him capable of either setting the tone at the top of the order or stabilising an innings before launching a later attack.