'Great learning for everybody' - David Hussey lauds Ajinkya Rahane for batting despite injury

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor David Hussey has lauded senior batter Ajinkya Rahane for being on the crease despite getting injured during KKR’s encounter against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on May 14. The right-handed batter looked in some sort of pain as he was batting during the field restriction.

Despite being in pain, the veteran batter continued to bat as he scored 28 runs off 24 balls, stroking three maximums in the process. Some late blitz from West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell ensured that KKR finished on 177 runs in their 20 overs and eventually win the contest by 54 runs.

‘You provided a valuable lesson for everybody’ – David Hussey to Ajinkya Rahane

“The other learning I’d like to play is Jinks (Ajinkya). Now mate, one lesson you provided for everybody – we are all hurting for you, you have done your hamstring or whatever you have done I don’t know yet. However, you used all your experience of 80 odd Tests, so many ODIs and T20s for your country,” Hussey said in a video posted by KKR.

“He stayed out there to realize what you need which was just swing and try and get as many runs as you possibly could. Because you knew, you couldn’t get back out. Great learning for everybody, if you are injured, don’t come back, just start swinging out there and try to get as many as possible,” he added.

The two-time champions are currently placed sixth in the points table with six wins in 13 matches. They would want to win their remaining matches to give themselves a chance to qualify for the all-important play-offs. KKR will now face the new entrants Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai on May 18 (Wednesday). As it will be KKR’s final group stage match, the former champions will want to win the encounter by a big margin to boost their chances for the playoffs.