IPL Auction 2023: In the ongoing Indian Premier League 2023 (IPL) auction, New Zealand white-ball skipper has been roped in reigning champions Gujarat Titans, while Indian veteran batter Ajinkya Rahane has been recruited by four-time champions Chennai Super Kings.
The 32-year-old Kane Williamson was bestowed the captaincy chores by Sunrisers Hyderabad before the IPL 2022, but the experienced campaigner had an underwhelming run for Hyderabad the previous year with a nascent squad.
In Kane Williamson’s captaincy, Sunrisers Hyderabad finished 8th at the points table the previous year, with 6 wins out of 14 matches. Furthermore, right-handed Williamson only secured 216 runs in 11 innings in IPL 2022 at an average of 19.6 with a solidarity half-century.
After being released by Hyderabad, Kane Williamson was purchased by Hardik Pandya-led Gujarat Titans for his base price of 2 crores. In absence of Jason Roy, Kane Williamson would amalgamate ideally in the middle order or he may even take up the opening errands with Shubman Gill, with David Miller, Matthew Wade, Hardik Pandya, and KS Bharat to follow.
IPL Auction 2023: Kane Williamson and Rahane sold at Base Price
Similarly, experienced Indian top-order batter Ajinkya Rahane was also signed up by Chennai Super Kings in the IPL auction. Analogous to Kane Williamson, right-handed Ajinkya Rahane also had an unspectacular season in IPL 2022.
The Maharashtra-born Ajinkya Rahane has represented five IPL franchises throughout the years and he was appointed by Kolkata Knight Riders last season in the mega-auction to fill in the opening void.
However, 34-year-old Ajinkya Rahane only managed to secure 133 runs in half of the league season at an average of 19 and strike rate of and strike rate of 103.9. Considering his penurious form, Kolkata Knight Riders flickered him down the batting order before eventually benching him for Aaron Finch.
Now, the MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings have roped in Ajinkya Rahane in the IPL Auction for his base price of 50 Lakhs. With Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway already designated the opening position, veteran Ajinkya Rahane could procure an additional cushion for Chennai at the top order, with players like Ben Stokes, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja maneuvering the middle order.
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