"Are you ready for Captain Rahane to shine?" - Kolkata Knight Riders fans go mad as Ajinkya Rahane smashes 95 in SMAT 2024

Senior batter Ajinkya Rahane smashed 54-ball 95 in a crucial game against Andhra in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024 on Thursday in Hyderabad. The knock comes days after he was roped in by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction for INR 1.5 crore.

Mumbai registered their highest run-chase in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy to leave behind Andhra and qualify for the knockouts from Group E.

Chasing 230 runs in a must-win game, Prithvi Shaw gave the team a flurry start. He smashed 34 off 15 balls at the strike rate of 226.67 to set the platform for Rahane to flourish. The veteran India batter then took off and smashed every bowler out of the park to keep the team in the hunt for a place in the knockouts.

Rahane struck nine boundaries and four sixes for his 95 off 54 balls. However, he was unlucky to miss a well-deserved century. Rahane's dismissal also halted Mumbai's run-chase, as they lost a flurry of wickets. However, Suryansh Shedge closed in on the run chase with an unbeaten 30 off eight deliveries.

The Knight Riders fans were ecstatic to see Ajinkya Rahane flourish with the bat, as they look to defend their IPL title next season. They hoped to see the Mumbai cricketer to continue the stunning form in the next cash-rich league and also urged the KKR management to make him the captain.

"Ajinkya Rahane delivers a masterclass in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with a sensational 95 off 54 balls! Just short of a well-deserved 100 but what a statement ahead of IPL 2025. KKR fans, are you ready for Captain Rahane to shine?" a fan wrote.

"Ajinkya Rahane on fire. Scored 95 runs in just 54 balls and helped Mumbai beat Andhra in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024. What a player! @KKRiders should make him captain," another fan chipped in.

"Rahane is possessed by kkr's brutal mindset," another fan tweeted.

"@VenkyMysore.. Ajinkya Rahane well done score 52 runs vs Maharashtra, score 68 runs vs Kerala and score 95 runs vs Andhra - Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20... Ajinkya Rahane must be Appointed by the new KKR Captain IPL 2025 confirm Approve," another wrote.

Here are some more reactions:

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How has Ajinkya Rahane performed in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024?

Ajinkya Rahane has been in stellar form with the bat for Mumbai in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He has been a force to reckon with at the top of the order for Mumbai.

The right-hander has amassed 250 runs in five matches, including three half-centuries. Barring the game against Andhra, Rahane smashed fifties against Kerala and Maharashtra.

He will hope to continue his blistering form as Mumbai look to lift the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy this year.