‘IPL gave us a platform to express ourselves’ – Ajinkya Rahane replies to Dale Steyn’s remarks on IPL

South African fast bowler had announced that he is pulling out of the upcoming edition of the IPL but at the same time, he clarified that he is willing to play other franchise cricket leagues all across the world. After Steyn’s decision, Royal Challengers Bangalore team management decided to release him ahead of the IPL 2021 auction.

Meanwhile, he is currently plying his trade for Quetta Gladiators in the sixth edition of the Pakistan Super League. Meanwhile, the 37-year-old veteran pacer made a shocking comment comparing the Indian Premier League with Pakistan Super League. We all know that IPL gave the youngsters a platform to express themselves and showcase their mettle.

In addition, IPL is considered the best league in the world. Dale Steyn’s recent comments on his view about IPL has stirred a big controversy on social media. Steyn hardly featured for RCB in the previous season. The right-arm fast bowler played only 3 games in the 2020 season of the IPL at the United Arab Emirates where he took 1 wicket to his name.

According to Steyn, IPL is all about the amount of money players earn where cricket gets “forgotten”. “I think when you go to IPL, there are such big squads and so many big names and so much emphasis on maybe the amount of money players earn and everything like that, so sometimes, somewhere down the line, cricket gets forgotten,” Steyn had said.

I’m not here to talk about PSL or LPL, says Ajinkya Rahane

India’s Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane spoke to the media reporters in a virtual press conference where he was asked about Dale Steyn’s comments on the IPL and to which Rahane said IPL gave them the platform to express themselves.

“See, I am here to talk about the fourth Test match and not here to talk about PSL or Sri Lanka Premier League. IPL gave us that platform to express ourselves and also to a lot of Indians players. I am not sure what Dale Steyn has said, I am here to talk about this Test match.”

After that, he also spoke about the team’s qualification for the ICC World Test Championship final. Talking about it, he said, “Absolutely, Ishant was spot on in what he said the same thing. Winning the WTC is equal to winning the World Cup. We are all focusing on that, having said that, the focus right now is to play the fourth Test against England. Ishant was completely right.”