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Watch: Ajinkya Rahane punches picture-perfect high-elbow six in brisk cameo | IPL 2023 final

Rahane IPL
by Wisden Staff 2 minute read

Watch: Ajinkya Rahane struck two mesmerising sixes in the space of three deliveries during the IPL 2023 final after Chennai Super Kings were set a formidable target against Gujarat Titans.

Needing 171 in 15 overs to win their fifth IPL title courtesy of the DLS method, CSK got off to a flier, with openers Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad taking the team to 74 in 6.2 overs. The two were sent back in the space of three balls, bringing Shivam Dube and Rahane to the crease.

Rahane ensured the momentum never dropped despite the loss of wickets, as he hit a six on just the second ball that he faced, before smashing another delivery two deliveries later. The third ball of the eighth over, by Joshua Little, was in the slot, and the batter played a cross-batted hit over deep mid-wicket to send the ball over the ropes.

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Two balls later, he hit an even better shot: The fuller ball was smacked over the bowler’s head for a straight six, leaving the commentators in awe.

By the end of the tenth over, CSK reached 112-2, needing 59 runs more in the last 30 deliveries. Rahane was eventually dismissed for a 13-ball 27.

Watch Rahane’s twin sixes here: