The Kolkata Knight Riders have faith in captain Ajinkya Rahane despite overhauling their squad following a dismal championship defense in 2025. Rahane stated on Friday that he is accepting the task with composure and optimism.
Despite leading KKR’s scoring statistics with 390 runs the previous season, Rahane was unable to keep the team from finishing ninth with just five victories in 14 games (two of which were abandoned).
However, the veteran emphasized that he is focused on handling obstacles with the appropriate mindset and that pressure is nothing new.
“Every year, there are different challenges as a player and also as a captain. What I learned throughout my journey is be positive each and every time, whatever challenges are there,” the 37-year-old said during KKR’s first media interaction of the season.
“I’ve been leading the team since last year and really grateful to the franchise that they gave me this responsibility to lead the team. Taking everything in my stride, taking everything in a positive way. There are always opportunities, there are challenges, you always see opportunities.
“My mindset has always been like that throughout my career, that if I see any challenges or particular, if something difficult is, I look at it in a positive way and try to give my best as a player and also as a captain,” he added.
Rahane stated that it’s critical to get off to a solid start and stay consistent throughout the lengthy competition in light of the disappointing conclusion of the previous season.
“As a team, we would like to start really well this season,” he said.
“It’s a long tournament and you don’t want to peak too early. As a team, and also the expectations from the boys, basically, you don’t actually looking for a perfect game. There are going to be errors throughout the tournament.
“But as a unit, what we would like to do is we play positive brand of cricket. So as a unit, as a team management, we are really confident about the side that will do really well this season.”
After releasing mainstays Andre Russell and Venkatesh Iyer and splurging big at the auction, including a record Rs 25.20 crore for Cameron Green, KKR enters IPL 2026 with a completely redesigned batting unit.
Along with Sunil Narine and Rahane at the top of the order, the team now features explosive possibilities like Finn Allen and Tim Seifert.
Rahane kept quiet regarding the batting order and combinations despite the abundance of options.
“The batting group which we have this year is amazing. I mean, most of the batters, they’re in good form. Guys from overseas also in good, very good nick. Had a very good World Cup as well.
“See, frankly, I’m not going to tell you the lineup, what lineup we are going to go with, but as I said, all the batters who are here at the moment are very good in nick, very good in nick, and we just started our camp with this before, so really excited for the season,” he said.
