‘Too late but good for him’ – Fans divided as Ajinkya Rahane signs County Contract with Leicestershire

Ajinkya Rahane will play for Leicestershire in the upcoming English County Season. This will be his second stint in the tournament, having played for Hampshire in 2019. The former India Test vice-captain will join the team in June this year, after the 16th season of the Indian T20 League. Rahane has been signed by Chennai for the upcoming season. The right-hander is having a good first-class season with the bat.

In the ongoing Ranji Trophy, the 2021 Border-Gavaskar Trophy-winning skipper has amassed 634 runs in seven games. Meanwhile, in Leicester, Rahane will be joined by South Africa all-rounder Wiann Mulder. After the former was signed, he said that he can’t wait to join his new team and explore the vibrant city of Leicester.

“I’m really happy to be joining Leicestershire for the upcoming season,” Rahane said in a statement. “I can’t wait to play alongside my new teammates and explore the vibrant city of Leicester.”

Extremely excited to welcome Ajinkya Rahane: Leicester director Claude Henderson

On the other hand, the club director, Henderson has said that he is excited to welcome the Mumbaikar. Henderson added that the former Rajasthan player in the Indian T20 League brings a lot of experience and a tremendous work ethic. Claude revealed that the club’s head coach Paul Nixon and his assistant, Alfonso Thomas eyed Ajinkya in the past.

“I’m extremely excited to welcome Ajinkya to Leicestershire,” the club’s director of cricket Claude Henderson said. “He comes with a lot of experience and a tremendous work ethic. It’s a great opportunity for us to tap into that.

“I had conversations with [assistant coach] Alfonso Thomas and [head coach] Paul Nixon, who had eyed Ajinkya in the past, so he was always on our radar. It was a case of seeing what the team needed, which was definitely a senior overseas batsman, so we are delighted to have secured someone of Ajinkya’s calibre.”

This is how Twitter reacted

Come back strong @ajinkyarahane88 pic.twitter.com/SbaklIaw5K

— Dhruv (@Dhruv95633064) January 31, 2023

Belated decision like Pujara could have played last season by withdrawing from IPL Too late a decision for any realistic come back

— Venkatraman sreedharan (@Venkatramansre3) January 31, 2023

County help Test players grow their reputation. Now County wants Asian to participate in tournament. That is because fans love to see them. Azhar, Pujara, Ajinkya etc batters have improves there. Similarly Haris, Abbas, Ishant, Umesh have performed for their teams. pic.twitter.com/qB8qTkbpBn

— Sports.world (@moiz_sports) January 31, 2023

He is best. I don't know why he can't play in number 4 position he provide that solidity in middle order of Indian batting. Score good jinx

— Sunil (@Truthsurvive_G) January 31, 2023

That's he should've done in 2021 skipping ipl.

— kran⚽city (@kran3city) January 31, 2023

https://twitter.com/fazil03/status/1620443291480391680?s=20

I feel it is too late but good for him.

— Girish (@crazygireesh8) January 31, 2023

Better late than never ..

— Raajan P (@taktoprajan) January 31, 2023

Waste player

— ZENON GAMING (@zenon1thelegend) January 31, 2023

HE WAS THERE IN ENGLAND IN 2019 WC SCORED 3-4 100+ SCORES IN COUNTY BUT EVEN AFTER DHAWAN & SHANKAR GOT OUT OF WC HE DIDN'T GET A CHANCE

HIS NUMBERS IN IPL IS BETTER THAN DHAWAN & ROHIT

HE WAS SOMETHING ELSE UNDER MS CAPTAINCY

HIS LEADERSHIP SKILLS MADE HIM ENEMY OF MANY

— KESHAV JHA (@r_t_india1947) January 31, 2023