KKR’s early-season struggle has only deepened, with the franchise still searching for its first win after the opening six matches. In Ahmedabad, captain Ajinkya Rahane chose to bat first, believing the pitch would reward a fearless approach from his top order. The strategy, however, didn’t deliver the desired result, and Rahane’s comments after the game reflected both the disappointment of the outcome and the belief that the side must keep finding ways to stay upbeat.
Key takeaways
- KKR are winless after their first six IPL matches.
- Rahane opted to bat first in Ahmedabad, aiming to let the batting unit play freely.
- KKR’s total of 180 was driven largely by Cameron Green’s knock of 79 off 55 balls.
- KKR’s pace bowling has been their weakest area this season, with run rates sitting above 11 per over.
- Rahane said powerplay problems stem from inexperience among the bowlers and challenging conditions for spinners.
- Green’s lack of impact with the ball was attributed to severe cramps during the match.
Rahane explains the batting-first call and the fightback
Rahane said his decision to bat first was rooted in the idea that a target around 200 would become difficult on that surface. He acknowledged that the plan, whether guided by analysis or instinct, didn’t go as hoped. “As a batting team, we were thinking that something like 200 on this wicket would have been challenging,” Rahane said after the game.
Even with the scoreboard pressure mounting, Rahane highlighted the contribution that kept KKR competitive. He praised Cameron Green for a standout effort, describing it as a “fantastic innings” and stressing that wickets can fall even when the chase or total doesn’t fully materialise. Rahane pointed out that KKR reached 180 because of Green’s work. Green’s innings came off 55 balls, with his 79 providing the backbone of the innings.
Staying positive as the bowling unit struggles
With each match, KKR’s margin for error continues to shrink, and Rahane admitted that the turnaround is becoming harder to envision. Still, he urged the team to remain mentally steady and focused on the next ball rather than getting dragged into pessimism. “You got to embrace those days, tough days as well,” he said. “As a sportsman, keep your head up, keep trying your best each and every day.”
Rahane also spoke about maintaining an atmosphere of freedom and belief inside the dressing room. His message was that KKR should treat difficult stretches as part of the journey, and that progress comes from trying again—day after day. “It’s all about going out there, being positive, playing with freedom,” he said, adding that the team and individuals must “back each other” and enjoy success together.
On the tactical side, Rahane didn’t soften his assessment of KKR’s bowling. He said the pace department has been the weakest unit in the tournament so far, pointing to an economy rate above 11 runs per over. He also noted that the attack has lacked penetration, particularly during the Powerplay phase.
Rahane was direct about what’s behind the Powerplay woes. “The guys who are bowling in the Powerplay are inexperienced. That’s the truth. That’s the honest truth,” he said. Despite the harsh reality, he insisted the bowlers are giving their best and working hard to force breakthroughs that haven’t been coming. He specifically named Anukul Roy, Karthik Tyagi and Vaibhav Arora, saying they are trying to pick up wickets even though the results haven’t followed.
Rahane also explained that conditions made it difficult for spinners to do their job in the early overs. “It wasn’t easy in the Powerplay for spinners to bowl,” he observed, suggesting that matchups and pitch behaviour limited what the slow-bowling options could achieve.
Why Green didn’t bowl and the short turnaround ahead
When asked why Cameron Green did not contribute with the ball, Rahane said cramps were the reason. He explained that Green was struggling physically and that the cramps became severe enough that there was no alternative during the Powerplay. “We didn’t have any other option to go to in the Powerplay. Cameron Green was struggling with his cramps. He was getting massive cramps, so he was struggling,” Rahane said.
Even with KKR’s precarious position, Rahane returned to the theme of staying present. He said it’s natural to let negativity creep in after defeats, but emphasised that hope remains and the unit must focus on the immediate challenge. “There is always hope,” he said. “You always want to be positive rather than thinking about negatives.”
He added that the team should not look too far ahead, instead taking things one game at a time and aiming to deliver their best performance whenever they take the field. “Taking one game at a time and just trying to give our best,” Rahane said.
KKR now have little time to regroup, with their next assignment coming against the Rajasthan Royals at home in under 48 hours.
