Captain of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Ajinkya Rahane He is being heavily criticized for his batting approach in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2026. However, the veteran batsman has defended his intentions, saying that he has always been a spontaneous and aggressive player.
Rahane stressed that his growth in T20 cricket has not been sudden, but the result of years of deliberate effort and adaptation to the demands of the format. Despite questions over his strike rate and KKR's team composition at the start of the season, he is confident about his approach and role within the team.
His comments come at a time when both his individual performances and the overall balance of the team are under scrutiny, with KKR looking to bounce back after a slow start to their campaign.
“I have always been an instinctive player, an aggressive player. But the franchises I played for earlier, my role was different. It has always been about the team for me, how I can contribute. Whatever the management asked at that time, it was about fulfilling that role to the best of my ability,” Rahane was quoted as saying by India Today.
Rahane's comments follow KKR's mixed start to the season, with modest scores in the first three matches. Questions continue to be raised about his role at the top of the order and the use of the team's power-hitters. Despite finishing as one of the leading run-scorers for KKR last season, the veteran batsman has once again come under scrutiny over his strike rate and the overall balance of the team in the current season.
“Three-four years ago, I sat down and thought how can I move forward from here and update my batting. I started working on a few different shots. It took me one to one-and-a-half years to develop some of them. I just kept practicing and at times got hit on my chest and stomach. When you have the passion to improve, you automatically strive to get better. The last few years have been really good for me in this format, and I really Enjoying my cricket,” Rahane said.
Rahane, who is leading the three-time champions despite finishing eighth last season, acknowledged the high expectations that come with representing a franchise backed by enthusiastic supporters in Kolkata. He also reflected on the responsibility of leadership, stressing the need to lead by example and continually contribute to the team's success in the IPL.
“It has been really amazing to captain KKR. I am grateful for the opportunity to lead this franchise. The passion for cricket in Kolkata is incredible. Whenever you play at Eden Gardens, the fans are passionate, and I understand that they love the game and are extremely passionate about the team. Winning the championship is always the goal,” Rahane said.
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