Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter Ajinkya Rahane is set to leave IPL bio-bubble after being ruled out of IPL 2022 owing to a grade III hamstring injury.
Ajinkya Rahane Ruled out of IPL 2022
Rahane sustained the injury while batting for Kolkata against Sunrisers Hyderabad at MCA Stadium in Pune on May 14 and didn’t come out to field after making 28 runs off 24 balls when the two-time IPL Champions restricted Hyderabad to 123/8 to win by 54 runs, keeping themselves alive in the race for the playoffs.
“Rahane is set to exit the Kolkata Knight Riders bubble on Monday evening. Sources within the Board of Control for Cricket in India said he will be reporting at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore where he may need more than four weeks of rehab,” said a report.
Rahane, who lost his vice-captaincy in the longest format of the game, was last seen in Test cricket action during India’s three-match away series against South Africa in January.
He was then left out of the two-match home series against Sri Lanka in March alongside Cheteshwar Pujara as Hanuma Vihari and Shreyas Iyer were given a go.
In seven matches for Kolkata in IPL 2022 after being picked for INR 1 crores in the Mega Auction, Rahane could make just 133 runs at an average of 19 and strike-rate of 103.90.
It was Rahane’s commitment to continue batting despite being injured that caught the eye of team mentor David Hussey who lauded the senior batter for his efforts to bat on.
“The other learning I’d like to play is Jinks (Ajinkya). Now mate, one lesson you provided for everybody – we are all hurting for you, you have done your hammy (hamstring) or whatever you have done I don’t know yet.
However, you used all your experience of 80 odd Tests, so many ODIs and T20s for your country,” Hussey said in a video posted by the franchise on their social media accounts on Sunday.
“He stayed out there to realize what you need which was just swing and try and get as many runs as you possibly could. Because you knew, you couldn’t get back out. Great learning for everybody, if you are injured, don’t come back, just start swinging out there and try to get a 20 off 10 and that might win us the game. So, well done to you mate,” added Hussey.
The two-time champions’ have just one match remaining in IPL 2022 in which they will face Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the DY Patil Stadium on Wednesday (May 18).
The clash is a must-win game for KKR and a defeat will eliminate them from the tournament. On the other hand, a win will leave them dependent on other results to qualify IPL 2022 playoff.
