'We played together in IPL' - Ajinkya Rahane reveals Ben Stokes' advice that changed his career

Ajinkya Rahane and Ben Stokes shared the dressing room at Rising Pune Supergiant during the 2017 Indian Premier League season. Stokes was purchased by the franchise at the auction held on February 20 for Rs 14.5 crores, joining a squad that already featured Rahane in his second year with the team.

During their time together in the IPL, Stokes shared advice with Rahane about handling the mental aspects of the game, particularly regarding the use of social media during competitive phases. Rahane reflected on this guidance and how it shaped his personal routine.

"I delete all the social media apps when the series is on. But no one advises us to, and that's just my own advice to myself. I remember Ben Stokes advising me not to see social media in 2017 when we played together in the IPL. Creating a routine helped me individually deal with this once I am in my room. Just things like watching something on Netflix or some other app, reading a book, chatting to family, and ironing my clothes for the next day," Rahane said on Stick to Cricket podcast.

Rahane has developed a structured approach to managing his digital presence while on tour. He relies on his team to handle the administrative side of social media, which allows him to maintain focus without the distraction of constant notifications and comments.

"I have my team who manage everything. Whatever I've to post, I generally send them the photo, and if there is anything to be approved, they'll send it to me. This really helped me a lot on tours. There is a temptation to log in to these apps when you have done well and see all the comments. But that's just temporary; what people talk about you," Rahane said.

The batter's approach reflects a broader understanding of how external noise can affect performance and mental wellbeing during intense cricket schedules. By creating routines that keep him engaged with activities away from social media, Rahane has found a way to protect his focus during series and tournaments. The advice from Stokes, rooted in the shared experience of playing at the highest levels of the game, highlighted the importance of managing one's environment and mindset during competitive phases.