Former Team India cricketer Kris Srikkanth criticized Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Ajinkya Rahane over his captaincy and batting role in IPL 2026. Srikkanth believes the Kolkata Knight Riders captain is not effective as an opening batsman and is limiting the team’s ability to maximize powerplay scoring opportunities.
Knight Riders will take on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the evening match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday, April 14. Ajinkya Rahane needs to lead from the front and get his first win as the team is at the bottom after three losses and one match being abandoned due to rain.
Ajinkya Rahane is playing just because… – Kris Srikkanth
Chris Srikkanth, while talking on his YouTube channel, said that Ajinkya Rahane is preventing players like Cameron Green and Sunil Narine from opening the batting order. Srikanth said that Ajinkya Rahane should play in the middle order in the upcoming matches.
Srikkanth said, “People like Rahane are playing only because he is the captain. That’s the problem. Ajinkya Rahane has been playing IPL for so long since 2008. He has been blocking the opening position. So, just playing a brilliant innings will do. I am not saying he should be dropped. Play him at No. 4 and let him play the role of sheet anchor.”
But Rinku Singh will not fit at number 5 – Kris Srikkanth
Kris Srikkanth urged Kolkata Knight Riders to make immediate changes to their batting order. He suggested opening with Sunil Narine, making Cameron Green bat at number 3 and using Ajinkya Rahane in the middle order.
“They can also open with Narine. Play Cameron Green at 3 and Raghuvanshi at 4. Also, Rinku Singh is useless at No. 5. Rinku’s ideal batting position is No. 7. Send Rahane at 4 or 5, then send Rovman Powell at 6. Rinku Singh should be used only for the last five overs. If you send him to bat in the 10th over, He won’t score many runs.”
Srikkanth criticized Rinku Singh’s current role at number 5 and said that Rovman Powell should bat higher. He explained that Rinku is most effective in the last overs and using him earlier slows down the run rate and increases pressure on other batsmen.
“When he comes in as a finisher, he does the job. But at No. 5, he will not fit in. He is not a No. 5 batsman. When he comes to bat, the run rate goes down in the beginning, which increases the pressure on the batsman at the other end. Rovman Powell has to strengthen himself for that. That is why Rinku Singh bats at No. 7. You are wasting Sunil Narine at No. 7 and 8. Rahane can bat only when needed; otherwise, he can just captain the team,’ said Chris Srikkanth.
Kolkata Knight Riders endure nightmare start to IPL 2026
Kolkata Knight Riders have had a bad start to the IPL 2026 season. The team has lost three matches against Mumbai Indians (MI), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), while one game against Punjab Kings (PBKS) was washed out due to rain.
Their main issue has been a weak bowling attack. Key Indian fast bowlers Harshit Rana and Akash Deep are out due to injuries. Cameron Green has also struggled to perform and has failed to live up to expectations so far this season.
Now the path to the playoffs is difficult for Kolkata Knight Riders. They need to win seven of their remaining ten matches. With a poor net run rate, the team will have to aim for a big win to improve its position in the points table.
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