Kolkata Knight Riders, the three-time champions of the Indian Premier League, are finding it difficult to build momentum in their 2026 season. Under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane, the franchise has already come under scrutiny, with supporters and critics pointing to concerns about how the squad is balanced and how decisions are being handled during matches. In a T20 league where momentum can swing in a single over, captains are expected to extract the best from their marquee talent and make tactical adjustments when the game demands it.
KKR’s batting has been questioned repeatedly this campaign, especially around Cameron Green’s role as a specialist batter. Despite the expectations attached to his price tag, questions have been raised about whether he has been able to complete the job in full. The bigger problem, though, has been the middle order’s inability to consistently create a platform that the bowlers can defend. One option being discussed is Rinku Singh, a KKR vice-captain who has often delivered when the team has been under pressure in recent years, showing calmness and the ability to finish innings strongly.
This season, Rinku has been batting at No. 5. In his outings so far, he has made 35 and 33 in the two innings, while striking at a rate of 150. His numbers, along with his reputation for hitting at the death, have led to renewed calls that he could be even more impactful if he were used higher up the order.
‘Promote Rinku up the order’
Speaking during the launch of the third edition of the Bengal Pro T20 league, Sourav Ganguly voiced his belief that KKR may need to rethink their batting structure. He suggested that promoting Rinku up the order could allow the team to better showcase his full range, arguing that limited time in his current position is holding back what he can do with the bat.
“I feel Rinku bats too low. He’s a better player than that and, hopefully, the team finds a way to push him up the order,” Ganguly said.
Those concerns have drawn attention because KKR have already experimented with their No. 3 and No. 4 spots in each of their first three matches. The franchise has tried to fit Green into the batting mix while also dealing with the impact of an underwhelming start from the middle. With the batting flow repeatedly disrupted in the top-to-middle transition, it has become harder for the side to build a steady platform early enough for the later batters to capitalize.
That challenge was evident in KKR’s 65-run loss against Sunrisers Hyderabad, where the top order’s reliance did not translate into a strong base during the first 10 overs. Without that early structure, the middle order has struggled to set up a chase or build pressure, leaving the batting unit unable to carry momentum into the later stages.
Rinku’s record in the IPL adds weight to the argument for a more aggressive batting role higher in the lineup. Since making his debut for KKR in 2018, he has amassed more than 1100 runs across 53 innings, establishing himself as a reliable finisher. Even so, the case being made is that his skills could create an even greater difference if the team gives him more responsibility with the bat earlier in an innings.
For now, Rahane and the management face the same central task: finding a combination that delivers both stability and impact. With adjustments needed to get the batting unit firing, KKR will be looking for a consistent formula—one that allows Rinku to contribute in a way that best matches his potential, while also ensuring the rest of the lineup functions as a coherent unit.
