Kolkata, May 25: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) concluded their IPL 2026 campaign with a loss. On Sunday, they faced a 40-run defeat against Delhi Capitals (DC) at Eden Gardens. Captain Ajinkya Rahane praised the team’s remarkable comeback during the tournament, although he acknowledged that this season was disappointing for KKR.
Following the defeat against DC, Rahane stated, “Yes, the wicket was a bit challenging at the start. I was batting well and knew that one batsman had to play through, so I tried to take my chances. I was also targeting strike rotation. Reflecting on the season, I am genuinely proud of everyone. After six matches, we were in a tough spot, and coming back from there required character, a good attitude, and resilience to maintain our position in the league and play that kind of cricket. I am truly proud of everyone.”
Rahane added, “Absolutely, there are many positives. There were some key moments in the first half of the season when we were losing, but coming back from such situations is never easy. The IPL is a long tournament with a lot of pressure. However, staying strong, maintaining character and attitude in every match, and giving our best for the team is commendable. Inside the dressing room, we were all genuinely happy. Everyone worked very hard. This season did not go as we hoped, and we couldn’t qualify, which is disappointing, but I am really proud of everyone and the effort we put in.”
In IPL 2026, KKR won 6 out of 14 matches, while suffering losses in 7. The team struggled initially, failing to secure a win in their first six matches, but made a remarkable comeback by winning six out of the next seven. However, they fell short of qualifying for the playoffs, finishing the tournament in seventh place on the points table.
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