Ajinkya Rahane has a lot of experience in international cricket, which could make him a valuable player for teams looking for someone stable and reliable.
The IPL 2025 mega auction is just around the corner, scheduled for November 24-25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. One of the players in the spotlight is Ajinkya Rahane, who was released by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and has a base price of INR 1.50 crore in the upcoming auction.
Ajinkya Rahane has a lot of experience in international cricket, which could make him a valuable player for teams looking for someone stable and reliable.
While his recent T20 form and age may be a cause for concern, his calmness and ability to perform under pressure are qualities that some teams could still appreciate.
Although there is a chance he won’t sell, some franchises may still see the value in his experience and choose to bid on him.
Let’s look at the 3 teams that would target Ajinkya Rahane in the IPL 2025 auction.
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Kings of Punjab (PBKS)
The Punjab Kings could see Rahane’s experience as a key asset as they restructure their team after retaining just a handful of players. His presence could bring much-needed stability to their batting line-up, along with the potential to provide leadership support.
Rahane could pair well with Prabhsimran Singh at the top, complementing Prabhsimran’s aggressive style by playing an anchoring role. Alternatively, he could slot into the middle order if required. Even if he doesn’t feature regularly in the XI, Rahane’s experience makes him a solid back-up option, particularly given Punjab’s sizeable budget for this auction.
Gujarat Titans (GT)
Gujarat Titans could see Ajinkya Rahane as a valuable addition to their team, considering their history of relying on experienced players like Wriddhiman Saha. Rahane’s adaptability and ability to bat in various middle-order positions could provide much-needed stability to their lineup.
His vast experience could be crucial in anchoring innings and guiding younger players through difficult situations. Also, Rahane’s knowledge could help captain Shubman Gill with on-field strategies. His addition could address this need and add depth to the team’s batting lineup.
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Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
After a series of poor IPL seasons after 2019, Ajinkya Rahane’s career revived when Chennai Super Kings acquired him for INR 50 lakh in the IPL 2023 auction. Rahane repaid their trust with a stellar performance, scoring 326 runs in 14 matches with an impressive strike rate of 172.49.
However, his form dipped in IPL 2024 where he managed 242 runs in 13 matches at a strike rate of 123.47. After this, CSK released him ahead of the IPL 2025 auction.
Despite releasing him, CSK could still consider re-signing Rahane as a stabilizing option for their middle-order. His understanding of CSK’s strategies and ability to anchor innings could prove useful. With a Right to Match (RTM) card available, the franchise is likely to reserve it for another player as Rahane’s services could be secured at a reasonable price without using the RTM.
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