IPL 2026: Skipper Ajinkya Rahane urges KKR to embrace tough days, play with freedom
Defeat has been a constant for the three-time former champions this season, as they endured a five-wicket defeat against the Gujarat Titans and slumped to their fifth defeat in six matches, with their only point coming due to rain against the Punjab Kings at the Eden Gardens.
Rahane was at his philosophical best during his post-match media interaction here on Friday.
In order for a team to keep its play-off target alive, it must win at least seven wins in a 10-team league.
With eight matches left and one point to go, this will be an impossible task for KKR from now on.
‘There is nothing to lose’
========== However, Rahane said that they have nothing to lose and it is all about playing with freedom.
“We take it one match at a time. It’s hard to lose a match, but everyone tries to do their best. Nobody wants to lose a match – we all want to win – but that’s the essence of sport… Keep your head up. The important thing for us is to go out there, be positive and play with freedom. We have nothing to lose.”
“Let me tell you something: Everyone is working really hard. For us, it’s all about playing for our fans and the people of Kolkata and we are trying to do our best.
“After every game, there are discussions about how we can improve. Obviously, when you lose, you tend to think about combinations and areas where we can get better, so the discussion is always going on.”
Rahane won his fourth of six matches this season but his decision to bat first raised eyebrows once again. Even his counterpart Shubman Gill said that he would prefer to bowl considering the dew in the toss.
The call backfired and KKR collapsed to 32 for 3 in four overs before their Rs 25.20-crore acquisition Cameron Green salvaged his best-ever knock of the series with 79 off 55 balls.
“It’s never easy when things don’t go your way and the courage he showed was amazing. All credit goes to him,” Rahane said.
“Yes, as a batting team we were thinking of 200 for this wicket. It would have been challenging but let’s not miss anything from his innings.
“He was fantastic for us tonight, attacking Rashid Khan and their fast bowlers.”
‘I’m proud of the players’
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The KKR skipper also admitted there was “a bit of dew” in the media interaction but praised his inexperienced bowlers for carrying the match through to the final over.
GT, who were 95/1 in nine overs in their chase of 181, were left sweating as Jos Buttler, Washington Sunder, Glenn Phillilps and the well-adjusted Gill fell against the run of play.
Rahul Tewatia and Shahrukh Khan eventually ended the tense chase with two balls remaining.
“I would especially like to thank our bowling unit. It has been a very inexperienced attack with only two senior players in Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy, but their improvement, especially in the last three games, has been fantastic,” Rahane said.
“Kartik Tyagi, Vaibhav Arora and Anukul Roy were also superb, bowling tough and picking up wickets in the powerplay.
“Our support staff does a great job of keeping the environment really good. The important thing is to accept it, but we’ll continue to do the best we can.”
