Ajinkya Rahane sent out a timely reminder to his critics with a blistering 58 off just 25 balls in the clash between Kolkata Knight Riders on March 23. The KKR captain, whose leadership was under scrutiny after IPL 2025, responded in the best way possible – with the bat.
Rahane’s retention as captain for IPL 2026 has faced criticism after KKR’s disappointing eighth-placed finish last season, where they managed just five wins from 14 matches. Despite being the team’s top scorer with 390 runs, questions have been raised about his tactical decisions. Speaking inside the team after the outing, the focus shifted back to his form as he led from the front in a high-scoring practice game.
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The knock came in a competitive match within the team where Rahane set the tone with an aggressive approach. Cameron Green also took an impressive 52 off 30 balls while Finn Allen added quick runs before being dismissed by Saurabh Dubey, who came on for Akash Deep.
Rahane’s innings stood out not just for runs but also for intent as he took on the bowlers and dictated the tempo of the game – something critics questioned in his captaincy style.
KKR CAPTAINCY UNDER SCANNER
Rahane’s leadership has come under sharp scrutiny after IPL 2025, with former Indian cricketer S Badrinath calling him the “weak link” in the set-up. Much of the criticism stemmed from KKR’s underwhelming campaign and certain tactical challenges, including the handling of spin resources at the Eden Gardens.
However, the franchise has decided to back Rahane for IPL 2026, signaling faith in his experience and ability to lead the turnaround. His performance in the intra-squad clash now lends weight to that decision and offers the first signs of intent ahead of the new season.
With a new campaign on the horizon, Rahane will be looking to not only come out with the bat but also address management concerns. If this knock is anything to go by, the KKR skipper seems ready to respond – both as a batsman and as a leader.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
23 March 2026 22:20 IST
