Mumbai, May 21: In the 65th match of IPL 2026, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) triumphed over Mumbai Indians (MI) by four wickets. This victory marks KKR’s sixth win in their last seven matches. Captain Ajinkya Rahane credited the team’s remarkable turnaround to the support staff.
KKR had a dismal start to IPL 2026, failing to secure a win in their first six matches. They faced defeats in five games, while one match was abandoned due to rain. However, KKR has made an impressive comeback, winning six out of their last seven matches, thereby keeping their playoff hopes alive.
Reflecting on the team’s resurgence after the victory against MI, Rahane stated, “I believe the confidence we gained after those six matches helped us bounce back. We had some good and open discussions among ourselves. We were playing good cricket, but this format is all about winning crucial moments. That win before the break was really significant. It changed our mood and instilled belief in everyone to make a comeback. We had confidence in our ability to return, but I think the credit goes to the entire support staff. When you lose six matches and then take a break, the atmosphere can be really tough. It is truly challenging, but this comeback is not just about one person. We maintained a positive environment, and our preparation has been excellent.”
Rahane also praised Anukul Roy and Kartik Tyagi for stepping up. “I am very happy to bowl alongside Varun and Sunil Narine, but I want to highlight a few names. Anukul Roy and Kartik Tyagi have taken on responsibility brilliantly. Entering the tournament with confidence from their outstanding domestic season and performing well under pressure in every match is commendable.”
He expressed his happiness for Manish Pandey, who played a crucial innings of 45 runs against MI. “I am really happy for Manish Pandey. I mean, even when he wasn’t playing, his work ethic, attitude, and mindset were fantastic. It is genuinely tough for a player when you are not playing matches but still work hard on your batting and fielding day in and day out. That attitude and team mindset are what matter the most. I am very pleased with the innings he played in this match.” Pandey faced 33 balls and scored 45 runs with the help of six boundaries.
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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