Time is running out for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2026 season. The three-time champions are still searching for their first win, sitting at the bottom of the points table with just one point. After a rough showing in their most recent game against Chennai Super Kings, the pressure has only intensified: Ajinkya Rahane has been pushed further down the batting order, and Cameron Green has even slipped below Angkrish Raghuvanshi in the pecking order. With the side struggling to find rhythm, former India captain and national selector Kris Srikkanth has urged KKR to take a hard look at their leadership and playing combination—especially the captaincy call involving Rahane.
KKR’s early-season crisis and the Rahane captaincy debate
Ahead of the upcoming clash between KKR and Gujarat Titans, Srikkanth argued that Rahane should be given only minimal runway as captain. He suggested that if the results do not improve quickly, the franchise must be willing to change course mid-season rather than cling to a failing plan.
- KKR are yet to register a win in IPL 2026 and have only one point, placing them at the bottom of the table.
- In the match versus CSK, Rahane was demoted down the batting order, while Cameron Green was placed below Angkrish Raghuvanshi.
- Srikkanth believes Rahane can get “one or two” more opportunities, but if improvement does not show, he should be replaced as captain.
- His proposed leadership switch is to hand the captaincy to Sunil Narine if Rahane’s performances don’t turn things around.
Rahane’s numbers, but concerns about batting impact
Srikkanth acknowledged Rahane’s productivity so far in the season, but he questioned whether that output translates into match-turning innings at the right stages. He pointed out that Rahane’s strike rate has held up reasonably well during the powerplay, while the bigger issue is his difficulty in accelerating once the overs move beyond that phase.
- Rahane has amassed 152 runs in IPL 2026 so far.
- His strike rate has been “reasonably good” in the powerplay.
- Srikkanth feels Rahane struggles to shift gears outside the powerplay.
- He also described making Rahane captain as a mistake and said KKR should correct that call promptly.
Possible squad shake-ups: who should come in, and who should go out
Beyond the captaincy, Srikkanth made it clear he wants changes in the playing XI. He called for Cameron Green and Finn Allen to be dropped due to what he described as poor showings. He also suggested specific replacements and even discussed how he would restructure the top order to create better balance.
- Srikkanth wants Cameron Green and Finn Allen dropped for their performances.
- He recommended bringing in Rachin Ravindra and Pathirana.
- His suggested opening combination is Rachin Ravindra paired with Rahane.
- He added that the support staff appears to look stronger than the performances delivered by some players.
Barbs on Rinku Singh and scrutiny of KKR’s bowling
The former India selector did not stop at captaincy and top-order reshuffling. He also criticised Rinku Singh’s batting output and argued that the left-hander cannot be trusted at No. 5 if his recent form continues to be flat. Srikkanth then turned his focus to the bowling unit, singling out Vaibhav Arora for costly overs and questioning what role he should play if he is the team’s main strike option.
- Srikkanth claimed Rinku Singh “never performs” and cannot bat at No. 5 if his impact remains poor.
- He argued that if 40 runs are required off the last three or four overs, Rinku may be able to do that job—but otherwise, he offers little.
- Srikkanth said Vaibhav Arora is conceding 55 runs off four overs consistently.
- He questioned Arora’s suitability as the main strike bowler given those numbers.
- Among the bowlers, Srikkanth said Kartik Tyagi is the one player doing well.
Srikkanth’s stance on timing the change
While Srikkanth pushed for a decisive approach, he also framed his message around timing and responsibility. He said Rahane should only bat when it is necessary, while also suggesting Rahane should still be captain if he is retained—though he argued the wrong decision was made in the first place by naming him skipper.
“I’ll give Ajinkya Rahane one or two chances more. If nothing changes, I’ll drop him also and make Sunil Narine the captain midway through the season. Rahane should come into bat only if necessary. Else let him only captain the side. He shouldn’t bat in the middle. Making him the captain was the wrong move in the first place. But do they have the courage to make a strong move of dropping him now?” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
