Ajinkya Rahane is facing growing scrutiny on two fronts\u2014his captaincy and his batting\u2014while Kolkata Knight Riders continue to languish near the bottom of the standings. In high-pressure franchise tournaments like the Indian Premier League, the skipper often becomes the first lightning rod for criticism, and Rahane\u2019s recent batting returns have only intensified the scrutiny. With the team struggling to find consistency, every knock from the top order is being weighed more heavily than usual.<\/p>\n
KKR have managed only one win in seven matches, slipping to 10th place\u2014an outcome that is a long way from what supporters would associate with a franchise that has lifted the IPL trophy three times. Rahane\u2019s own output mirrors the wider difficulties KKR have been experiencing. In seven innings, he has accumulated 152 runs at an average of 25.33, and he has not been able to convert promising starts into longer, match-defining contributions. His strike rate of 144.76 may look decent on paper, but it has not consistently delivered the kind of impact expected from a powerplay opener. When the top order fails to press the advantage early, KKR frequently end up chasing the game rather than setting the tone\u2014making it harder to build the kind of innings that can control proceedings from the outset.<\/p>\n
As criticism grows, former KKR head coach Chandrakant Pandit has stepped in with a more balanced defence of Rahane\u2019s approach, arguing that there is a clear logic behind how he fits into KKR\u2019s batting structure at the top. Pandit pointed out that Rahane\u2019s recent record suggests he has been productive when he has been given opportunities, and he added that the responsibilities of batting at the beginning of an innings can differ significantly from other roles."Ajinkya has done well over the last couple of seasons whenever he has had the opportunity to bat. Even in domestic cricket, including T20s, he has shown solid form. But batting at number one comes with a distinct kind of responsibility. After the powerplay overs are over\u2014once the first six overs are completed\u2014his job is often to steady the innings and move it forward in a controlled way. That could explain why he isn\u2019t always swinging for the fences right from the start. He is a very calculating player," Pandit said.<\/p>\n
Pandit also addressed the psychological dimension, suggesting that the weight of expectations could be affecting Rahane, particularly as KKR endure a tough stretch. He stressed that inconsistency is part of the journey for most players and should be understood in the context of form swings rather than treated as a permanent failing."It also feels like there may be some pressure on him, especially when the team isn\u2019t going well. As a senior player, that responsibility naturally lands on him, and he might be putting in extra effort with the mindset that they need to win. But every cricketer handles these situations differently, and fluctuations in performance are normal. Some players shine in one season and struggle in the next\u2014consistency varies from person to person," he added.<\/p>\n
In a further comparison, Pandit drew parallels between Rahane and players such as Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad, highlighting the importance of a composed, adaptable approach. His argument was that Rahane\u2019s style aligns with a class of batters who can adjust their game across phases\u2014complementing the more aggressive hitters who are tasked with taking the innings forward."When you look at players like Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad, they also share that adaptable, composed character that shows up across formats. Rahane fits into that category of batters who lean on a thoughtful, measured approach. He understands his role and responsibility. The way he has been batting suggests he is carrying out what is generally expected from a top-order batter after the powerplay. Of course, other players in the side have different assignments\u2014particularly the power hitters. KKR often lean on players like Rovman Powell to accelerate the scoring and drive the game forward aggressively. Ultimately, it\u2019s about balance within the team, and Rahane\u2019s approach aligns with that bigger plan," Pandit concluded.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Ajinkya Rahane is facing growing scrutiny on two fronts\u2014his captaincy and his batting\u2014while Kolkata Knight Riders continue to languish near the bottom of the standings.…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":5048,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"IPL 2026: KKR Coach on Rahane\u2019s Captaincy Scrutiny","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"KKR coach calls Ajinkya Rahane \u201ccalculated\u201d as captaincy and batting criticism grows, while KKR fights to climb the IPL 2026 table.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5049","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n