The Aryavarth Express:
Kolkata, April 3: Ajinkya Rahane, captain of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), hit back at critics following his team’s second consecutive loss in Indian Premier League 2026, suggesting that negativity around his batting may be driven by bias or jealousy over his success.
KKR suffered a heavy 65-run defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Kolkata on Thursday. The visitors delivered a dominant all-round performance, powered by explosive innings from Heinrich Klaasen and Abhishek Sharma, along with effective bowling spells from Jaydev Unadkat, Eshan Malinga, and Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Playing his 200th IPL match, Rahane had a disappointing outing, scoring just 8 runs off 10 balls during a challenging chase. Despite this, he defended his recent form, pointing out that his strike rate since 2023 ranks among the best in the powerplay for Indian batters—second only to Abhishek Sharma.
Responding to criticism, Rahane said that many detractors either do not fully understand the game or have a preconceived agenda against him. He added that some may not appreciate his style of play or expected him not to evolve as a batter.
The veteran emphasized that his intent at the crease remains strong, even if results do not always follow. He maintained that fluctuations in rhythm are natural in cricket and should be accepted as part of the game.
Rahane also spoke positively about his opening partnership with Finn Allen, highlighting the importance of playing fearless cricket in the powerplay.
Currently among the top run-scorers in IPL history, Rahane has amassed over 5,100 runs with two centuries and 34 half-centuries in his career.
KKR, now facing a rare poor start with two losses in their opening matches, will look to recover quickly. They are set to face Punjab Kings on April 6, followed by a clash against Lucknow Super Giants on April 9.
