Ajinkya Rahane: The poor run of form for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2026 has sparked serious debate around leadership and team balance, with former India cricketer Kris Srikkanth openly questioning the role of Ajinkya Rahane as captain. After a disappointing start to the season, KKR finds itself at the bottom of the points table, still searching for its first win.
So far, the Rahane-led side has failed to register a victory in the tournament. Their only point came from a washed-out clash against Punjab Kings, highlighting just how difficult the campaign has been. With five matches already played, both the players and the team management have come under increasing scrutiny from fans and cricket experts alike.
Despite several attempts to turn things around, including multiple changes to the playing XI, KKR has struggled to find consistency. In their recent match against Chennai Super Kings, ajinkya rahane even altered his batting position, stepping down the order in a move that reflected the uncertainty within the squad.
From a performance standpoint, Rahane has scored 152 runs so far this season. However, his strike rate outside the powerplay has dipped significantly, raising concerns about his impact in modern T20 cricket. Srikkanth believes that the management should not hesitate to take bold decisions if results do not improve soon.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth suggested that Rahane should be given only a limited number of chances to prove himself. If the situation remains unchanged, he recommended handing over the captaincy to Sunil Narine midway through the tournament.
He also questioned the original decision to appoint Rahane as captain, calling it a misstep. According to him, Rahane’s role should be clearly defined—either lead the side or contribute as a batter when required, but not struggle in both areas simultaneously.
Srikkanth didn’t stop there. He proposed significant changes to the team combination, suggesting that KKR should drop players like Finn Allen and Cameron Green. Instead, he recommended bringing in Rachin Ravindra and Matheesha Pathirana to strengthen both batting and bowling departments.
He further suggested that Rachin Ravindra could open the innings alongside Rahane, providing better balance to the top order. However, he also expressed disappointment with the overall squad, even remarking that the support staff appears stronger than the playing XI.
The criticism extended to other players as well. Rinku Singh, who has been batting at No. 5, was singled out for his lack of contributions. Srikkanth pointed out that while Rinku can be effective in high-pressure finishing situations, he has struggled to deliver consistently in regular match scenarios.
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On the bowling front, concerns remain equally serious. Apart from Kartik Tyagi, who has shown some promise, the rest of the attack has failed to make an impact. Bowlers like Vaibhav Arora have been expensive, conceding heavily and failing to provide breakthroughs.
With a crucial match against Gujarat Titans approaching, the pressure is firmly on ajinkya rahane and the KKR management to make decisive changes. Whether the team sticks with its current leadership or opts for a mid-season overhaul could define the remainder of their IPL 2026 campaign.