Despite the team’s terrible start to the IPL season, Ajinkya Rahane, captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders, stated that he has never considered quitting and that it is crucial to demonstrate character while the team is having difficulties.
The former champions had a terrible start to the IPL season, dropping to the bottom of the points table and losing five of their first six games.
They did, however, pull off an incredible comeback by winning six of their last eight games, momentarily renewing hopes of qualifying for the playoffs before ultimately failing.
“For me, I’ve played cricket all my life with a good attitude. Character has always been very important for me,” PTI quoted Rahane as saying at the post-match press conference after the team’s last game of the season.
On Sunday, KKR was defeated by Delhi Capitals by 40 runs.
“I’m never one to back down. When the team is down, when the team is struggling, it’s very important to show your character at that time. I am never one that steps down. When the team is struggling, it is important to show your character.”
“Yes, there’s pressure. It’s very natural but the pressure is on those who are privileged. Not everyone can handle the pressure. For me, it was important to stay strong and not panic. It’s very easy when you lose 5-6 matches, your focus shifts to the past and the future.”
Rahane himself had a lackluster batting season. In 14 games, the seasoned opener amassed 335 runs at a strike rate of 135. He also had one of the lowest strike rates in the competition outside the Powerplay.
“It’s important that you stay in that moment. Things can turn around any time. We’ve seen in a lot of matches and series how things change. It’s very important to maintain that attitude and character. I’m never one to back down. Those thoughts (of stepping down) never came to me,” added Rahane, who, following a terrible 36 all out, famously guided the Indian Test team to the 2020–21 Border-Gavaskar series win.
A number of important players, notably pacers Harshit Rana and Akash Deep, were hurt before KKR’s campaign had started. Following political difficulties between the two nations, the franchise was also compelled by the BCCI to release Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman, severely weakening their bowling assault.
Rahane claimed that the failures led him to support Indian local talent.
“We lost a few players during the season and it’s challenging all the time, but I was not looking at that. I was confident about and wanted to give time to the Indian bowlers. I knew that, I was confident that if we back them, if we give them that time, they will do really well under pressure.”
In the end, the injuries made room for pacer Kartik Tyagi and spin all-rounder Anukul Roy, both of whom made excellent use of their chances.
With 18 wickets—the third-highest total among Indian bowlers in the league stage—Tyagi proved to be one of KKR’s most impressive players. Roy, on the other hand, was unbeaten in two successful run chases and claimed 9 wickets in 12 innings.
“When we sat down at the start of the season, I thought, this is a great time for Anukul to come in and play each and every game,” Rahane said.
“He had a fantastic Syed Mushtaq Ali season. I believe that whoever has a good season in the domestic league, you carry that confidence forward. Anukul Roy just did that.”
“Talking about Kartik Tyagi, he was clear. We played practice games – two, three practice matches. He was really clear about his thought process. You will go for runs as a bowler but as long as you’re clear what you want to do for your team, that’s what matters.”
“For these two guys, this is just the beginning. I’m sure they have the potential to do really well in the future and go and play at the highest level as well,” he added.
