Regardless of overhauling its squad after a disappointing title defence in 2025, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has retained religion in skipper Ajinkya Rahane, who stated on Friday that he’s embracing the accountability with calmness and positivity.
Rahane, who topped KKR’s scoring charts final season with 390 runs, couldn’t stop the staff from ending eighth with simply 5 wins in 14 matches.
However the veteran insisted that strain is nothing new, and he’s centered on approaching challenges with the fitting mindset.
“Yearly, there are completely different challenges as a participant and in addition as a captain. What I discovered all through my journey is be constructive each time, no matter challenges are there,” the 37-year-old stated throughout KKR’s first media interplay of the season.
“I’ve been main the staff since final 12 months and actually grateful to the franchise that they gave me this accountability to steer the staff. Taking all the things in my stride, taking all the things in a constructive manner. There are all the time alternatives, there are challenges, you all the time see alternatives.
“My mindset has all the time been like that all through my profession, that if I see any challenges or explicit, if one thing troublesome is, I have a look at it in a constructive manner and attempt to give my greatest as a participant and in addition as a captain,” he added.
After final season’s underwhelming end, Rahane stated it’s essential to begin sturdy whereas sustaining consistency by the lengthy match.
“As a staff, we want to begin very well this season. It’s an extended match and also you don’t need to peak too early. As a staff, and in addition the expectations from the boys, mainly, you don’t search for an ideal recreation. There are going to be errors all through the match.
“However as a unit, what we want to do is we play constructive model of cricket. In order a unit, as a staff administration, we’re actually assured concerning the aspect that can do very well this season,” Rahane stated.
KKR heads into IPL 2026 with a revamped batting unit after releasing stalwarts Andre Russell and Venkatesh Iyer, and splurging large on the public sale, together with a document Rs 25.20 crore for Cameron Inexperienced.
The squad now boasts explosive choices like Finn Allen and Tim Seifert, alongside Sunil Narine and Rahane himself on the prime of the order.
Regardless of the abundance of selections, Rahane remained tight-lipped concerning the batting order and mixtures.
“The batting group which now we have this 12 months is wonderful. I imply, many of the batters, they’re in good type. Guys from abroad additionally in good, excellent nick. Had an excellent World Cup as properly.
“See, frankly, I’m not going to inform you the lineup, what lineup we’re going to go along with, however as I stated, all of the batters who’re right here in the mean time are in excellent nick and we simply began our camp with this earlier than, so actually excited for the season,” he stated.
Revealed on Mar 20, 2026