Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane said criticism of his strike rate is driven by “agenda” and “jealousy” after the team's second straight defeat in IPL 2026.
KKR lost by 65 runs to Sunrisers Hyderabad, adding to an opening defeat against Mumbai Indians. The back-to-back losses have increased pressure on Rahane early in the season.
Speaking after the match, Rahane defended his batting record and questioned the criticism directed at him.
“I think I have one of the best strike rates since 2023,” Rahane said. “People talking about me are probably not watching the game, or they have a certain agenda against me. They don't like me playing. They don't like watching me play.”
The comments come as scrutiny builds on Rahane's approach in T20 cricket, particularly around scoring pace. He said the reaction does not reflect his recent record and dismissed concerns about his intent.
“The amount of success I've had… I guess some people are jealous,” he said. “I'm not too worried. You all know what I'm doing. It was just one innings—actually not even a bad innings. My intent was there. Sometimes as a batter you don't find the rhythm or the flow. People who are talking either don't understand the game, or they want me to play a different kind of innings.”
Rahane, 37, took over as captain last season. KKR finished eighth, but he scored 390 runs in 13 matches at a strike rate of 147.73. He also made 67 off 40 balls against Mumbai Indians this season, with a strike rate of 167.50.
Despite that, questions around his scoring rate have continued.
Rahane has played more than 200 IPL matches and scored over 5,000 runs across six teams. He said his approach has changed over time to stay relevant in T20 cricket.
“They didn't expect Ajinkya Rahane to evolve his game this much,” he said. “I'm happy they're talking about me—positive or negative, either way. Let them talk.”
Also Read: IPL 2026 Points Table: Reddy, Klaasen, Unadkat Shine As SRH Thrash KKR At Eden Gardens
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