Kolkata, April 3: In an intense match at Eden Gardens on Thursday, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) faced a 65-run defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPL 2026. KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane struggled with the bat, scoring just 8 runs off 10 balls. Following the match, critics raised questions about his strike rate, prompting a strong response from Rahane.
Rahane stated, “My strike rate has been the best since 2023. Those who are talking may not be watching the matches or might have a personal agenda against me. They don’t like how I play. They might be envious of my success.”
The KKR captain expressed that he is not overly concerned about the criticism. “My intent was clear. Sometimes, as a batsman, you don’t find your flow. Those who are talking either don’t understand the game or want me to play differently. They didn’t expect Ajinkya Rahane to improve his game this much. I’m glad they are discussing me, whether positively or negatively. Let them talk. I know what I’m doing and what I’ve done in the past. Instead of worrying about others’ opinions, I trust myself. Let those who are talking continue.”
Since IPL 2023, Rahane has a powerplay strike rate of 167.78, second only to Abhishek (176.56) among Indian batsmen. However, his strike rate tends to drop after the powerplay, which has led to criticism.
In the season opener against Mumbai Indians, Rahane scored 67 runs off 40 balls, but he failed to replicate that performance against SRH, leading KKR to their second consecutive defeat. Chasing a target of 227 runs, KKR collapsed to 161 in just 16 overs.
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My name is Himanshu Tiwari. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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