Let’s start with a short lesson, shall we? Here’s how an English dictionary would define ‘jinx’:
jinx
noun
bad luck; or a person or thing that is believed to bring bad luck
verb
bring bad luck to
Usage: I really hope we win, but I don’t want to jinx it!
And here’s how we (cricket tragics and suckers for stylish batsmanship) would define Jinks.
Jinks
noun
the nickname of Ajinkya Rahane, one of India’s batting stalwarts. A classy, versatile and dependable batsman.
Usage: Jinks has timed that ball to perfection and it has raced to the cover boundary!
Now that we’ve cleared the confusion that no one probably had, let’s get to what the Ajinkya Rahane trade means for the Delhi Capitals.
For one, it emphasises Delhi Capitals’ philosophy of a strong Indian core. “When the franchise underwent a revamp last year, a decision was made to keep Indian players at its core… That thought process has continued for us this time around as well, as is evident in the signing of Ravichandran Ashwin, followed by that of Ajinkya Rahane,” said co-owner Parth Jindal about acquiring Rahane’s services for the Capitals.
What the move also does is make an already strong batting line-up formidable! Ajinkya Rahane is one of the most consistent batsmen in the circuit, and what he brings to the table is invaluable.
“What does the team want from me today?”
Jinks is a team man through and through. He’s got qualities similar to a great man he spent years with in the Rajasthan Royals set-up – Rahul Dravid. Couple selflessness with versatility, and you’ve got yourself a priceless asset.
His adaptability is probably his most envious trait. Depending on the circumstances, he can play either the role of a sheet anchor or that of the aggressor, and he does both with aplomb.
Some of Ajinkya’s most memorable knocks for India have been counter-attacks. In the 2014 Lord’s Test, India were in a spot of bother when Rahane took the attack to the opposition and scored an incredible century with the tail for company. In the 2015 World Cup game against South Africa, Rahane scored a quick-fire 79 and was involved in a 125-run stand with Shikhar Dhawan. Fans will hope that the duo can repeat heroics in DC’s blue!
Look no further than his two IPL centuries for proof that he can do the same in T20 cricket. His sublime 103* against the Royal Challengers in 2012 came at a strike rate of 171.66, while his unbeaten 105 against us last season was scored in just 63 deliveries. Well, he won’t be doing that to us again, that’s a relief!
“There’s still place for that in T20 cricket!”
How many times have you heard the commentators use that phrase while Ajinkya Rahane is at the crease? There’s just something aesthetically pleasing about perfectly timed cover drive or a crisp cut shot, isn’t there?
Rahane will not bludgeon or slog or muscle the ball, he will time, caress and place it. Jinks is classical in his shot-making even in T20 cricket and that’s what makes him special.
Imagine watching Rahane play a textbook straight drive past the bowler, and then someone like Rishabh Pant deposits the ball into the stands one-handed a minute later.
If the prospect of watching the best of both worlds doesn’t bring Delhi Capitals fans to the Arun Jaitley Stadium or in front of the TV at 4PM/8 PM in the summer of 2020, nothing will.
Experience Counts
Delhi Capitals have struck gold by roping in Ravichandran Ashwin and Ajinkya Rahane in the space of a week. Despite limited experience, the dynamic Shreyas Iyer has done a stellar job as skipper in the last season and a half. Now, with two of the most experienced Indian superstars around, Shreyas Iyer and the other young guns in the squad will know just where to go for advice when needed.
“I am sure Rahane’s wealth of experience, and familiarity with the conditions will help Delhi Capitals go a long way in IPL 2020,” added Parth Jindal on signing Ajinkya.
For a multitude of reasons, it is evident that we are ecstatic about the fact that Rahane is heading to the capital. How stoked are you about getting Jinks’d?
Let’s start with a short lesson, shall we? Here’s how an English dictionary would define ‘jinx’:
jinx
noun
bad luck; or a person or thing that is believed to bring bad luck
verb
bring bad luck to
Usage: I really hope we win, but I don’t want to jinx it!
And here’s how we (cricket tragics and suckers for stylish batsmanship) would define Jinks.
Jinks
noun
the nickname of Ajinkya Rahane, one of India’s batting stalwarts. A classy, versatile and dependable batsman.
Usage: Jinks has timed that ball to perfection and it has raced to the cover boundary!
Now that we’ve cleared the confusion that no one probably had, let’s get to what the Ajinkya Rahane trade means for the Delhi Capitals.
For one, it emphasises Delhi Capitals’ philosophy of a strong Indian core. “When the franchise underwent a revamp last year, a decision was made to keep Indian players at its core… That thought process has continued for us this time around as well, as is evident in the signing of Ravichandran Ashwin, followed by that of Ajinkya Rahane,” said co-owner Parth Jindal about acquiring Rahane’s services for the Capitals.
What the move also does is make an already strong batting line-up formidable! Ajinkya Rahane is one of the most consistent batsmen in the circuit, and what he brings to the table is invaluable.
“What does the team want from me today?”
Jinks is a team man through and through. He’s got qualities similar to a great man he spent years with in the Rajasthan Royals set-up – Rahul Dravid. Couple selflessness with versatility, and you’ve got yourself a priceless asset.
His adaptability is probably his most envious trait. Depending on the circumstances, he can play either the role of a sheet anchor or that of the aggressor, and he does both with aplomb.
Some of Ajinkya’s most memorable knocks for India have been counter-attacks. In the 2014 Lord’s Test, India were in a spot of bother when Rahane took the attack to the opposition and scored an incredible century with the tail for company. In the 2015 World Cup game against South Africa, Rahane scored a quick-fire 79 and was involved in a 125-run stand with Shikhar Dhawan. Fans will hope that the duo can repeat heroics in DC’s blue!
Look no further than his two IPL centuries for proof that he can do the same in T20 cricket. His sublime 103* against the Royal Challengers in 2012 came at a strike rate of 171.66, while his unbeaten 105 against us last season was scored in just 63 deliveries. Well, he won’t be doing that to us again, that’s a relief!
“There’s still place for that in T20 cricket!”
How many times have you heard the commentators use that phrase while Ajinkya Rahane is at the crease? There’s just something aesthetically pleasing about perfectly timed cover drive or a crisp cut shot, isn’t there?
Rahane will not bludgeon or slog or muscle the ball, he will time, caress and place it. Jinks is classical in his shot-making even in T20 cricket and that’s what makes him special.
Imagine watching Rahane play a textbook straight drive past the bowler, and then someone like Rishabh Pant deposits the ball into the stands one-handed a minute later.
If the prospect of watching the best of both worlds doesn’t bring Delhi Capitals fans to the Arun Jaitley Stadium or in front of the TV at 4PM/8 PM in the summer of 2020, nothing will.
Experience Counts
Delhi Capitals have struck gold by roping in Ravichandran Ashwin and Ajinkya Rahane in the space of a week. Despite limited experience, the dynamic Shreyas Iyer has done a stellar job as skipper in the last season and a half. Now, with two of the most experienced Indian superstars around, Shreyas Iyer and the other young guns in the squad will know just where to go for advice when needed.
“I am sure Rahane’s wealth of experience, and familiarity with the conditions will help Delhi Capitals go a long way in IPL 2020,” added Parth Jindal on signing Ajinkya.
For a multitude of reasons, it is evident that we are ecstatic about the fact that Rahane is heading to the capital. How stoked are you about getting Jinks’d?
