Ajinkya Rahane’s Captaincy Role Questioned After KKR’s IPL Struggles
Srikkanth suggests KKR drop Rahane and consider captaincy change.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are facing mounting pressure in what has been a difficult IPL 2026 campaign, with former India cricketer Kris Srikkanth urging the franchise to consider leadership changes amid poor performances. The Ajinkya Rahane-led side has struggled to find momentum, collecting only a single point so far due to a washed-out match against Punjab Kings.
With the team languishing at the bottom of the points table after five matches, criticism has intensified from fans and analysts over both strategy and execution. Rahane has scored 152 runs in the tournament so far, but concerns have been raised about his strike rate, particularly in the middle overs, where his scoring rate has reportedly dipped.
The situation has led to visible experimentation within the squad, including Rahane briefly demoting himself in the batting order during a recent match against Chennai Super Kings. However, results have not improved, prompting calls for more drastic changes as KKR prepares for its upcoming fixture against Gujarat Titans.
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Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kris Srikkanth suggested that Rahane should be given only a limited window to turn things around, after which the franchise should consider replacing him as captain. He proposed Sunil Narine as a potential leadership option, arguing that a stronger tactical shift may be necessary to revive the team’s campaign. Srikkanth also suggested structural changes to the batting order, including bringing in Rachin Ravindra at the top.
In addition to leadership criticism, Srikkanth took aim at several KKR players, questioning the consistency of the bowling unit and the effectiveness of the middle order. As pressure builds on the franchise, the debate around selection, strategy, and leadership is expected to intensify ahead of their next match, with KKR still searching for their first win of the season.
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