It is difficult for many cricket pundits to accept the fact that Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Ajinkya Rahane opted to bat first at the Eden Gardens despite knowing the weather conditions.
Ahead of Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings (KKR vs PBKS), IPL 2026 Match No. 12, heavy rain and thunderstorm was predicted in the city. Traditionally, in heavy weather, teams prefer to bowl first mostly due to uncertainty.
Anil Kumble, R Ashwin and Saba Karim were surprised by Rahane’s call.
Rahane took a completely different approach and asked to bat first. Cricket experts like Anil Kumble, Saba Karim and Ravichandran Ashwin were surprised by Ajinkya Rahane’s decision. Proving the weather forecast accurate, rain and storms lashed the city of Happiness and play was halted during the fourth inning.th Over of the first innings. By the evening, KKR had lost two wickets in the form of Finn Allen and Cameron Green.
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During the rain break, former India spinner, now cricket expert, Anil Kumble said on the JioHotstar broadcast, “I’m surprised Rahane won the toss and decided to bat first. On a pitch like this, where there is little rain around, ideally, you would want to field first.”
Saba Karim also expressed the same. “I don’t understand this call. I can’t wrap my head around it,” Kareem said.
On the other hand, former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was also surprised to see KKR batting first after winning the toss. Ahswin pointed out that in such weather conditions and with an inexperienced bowling combination, KKR’s decision to bat first took him by surprise.
“When you know it’s going to be a rain-affected game, and you have an inexperienced bowling attack, you choose to bat first. Interesting thought process,” Ashwin wrote in his ‘X’ post.
When you know it’s going to be a rain-affected game, you have an inexperienced bowling attack, you choose to bat first.
Interesting thought process. #IPL2026 pic.twitter.com/uPWQB7Odfr
– Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) 6 April 2026
Traditionally, the Eden Gardens pitch provides extra bounce to seam bowlers in the early overs of the match. Under a layer of dense clouds, conditions became more ideal for the bowlers.
KKR without Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy
Meanwhile, the Kolkata team announced its playing eleven for the match without its key spinners Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy. At the time of the toss, Ajinkya Rahane revealed that Varun missed the match due to an injury sustained while fielding in the previous match and he dropped Narine from the playing eleven due to health concerns.
Two changes, forced. Varun Chakravarthy got injured while taking a catch in the last game and Narine is ill. Powell and Saini are inside,” Rahane informed, “Ajinkya Rahane informed.
Ajinkya Rahane explains why he decided to bat first
According to Cricbuzz, Kolkata Knight Riders are playing their first match after 2020 without Sunil Narine or Varun Chakravarthy in the playing eleven. Rahane further explained why he chose to bat first. According to him, the pitch looked dry, but overall looked good.
“We are going to bat first. It looks like it is a good wicket, a bit dry, but it is a very good wicket and there is a bit less grass in it. That is the reason for getting runs on the board first,” Ajinkya Rahane told PTI.
Read More: KKR vs PBKS Impact Players Today: Toss Report, Playing XI, Latest Updates IPL 2026 Match 12
