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Despite knowing about the overcast conditions on Sunday, KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane opted to bat first against Punjab Kings in IPL 2026. Although the game was abandoned due to rain, fingers kept raising at Rahane's decision making.
KKR head coach interacts with captain Ajinkya Rahane in IPL 2026. (ANI Pic Service)Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Ajinkya Rahane came under huge criticism after his decision to win the toss and bat first under overcast conditions against Punjab Kings on Monday at Eden Gardens in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The match lasted only 3.4 overs before rain gods intervened and was eventually called off. Both KKR and Punjab Kings shared a point each. It was KKR's first point in IPL 2026.
The backlash came instantly after Rahane shocked the cricketing world with his decision, thus inviting a post-mortem from the likes of Anil Kumble and other experts. “I am surprised that Rahane won the toss and chose to bat first. On a pitch like this, where there’s some rain around, ideally, you would want to field first,” a surprised Kumble said on JioStar broadcast.
Pointing more fingers at Rahane, Aakash Chopra demanded answers from the KKR skipper. A former KKR player, Chopra also questioned the team management's decision making when the three-time champions were missing the services of Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy.
Ajinkya Rahane flooded with tough questions
Chopra, who played just seven games for KKR, and has now turned into an expert post retirement, took to social media to ask four questions to Rahane and the team management. “KKR, you just got out of jail. Of course, you have got at least a point. But I have four questions to ask. Try and address them,” said Chopra in a video.
“Why did you opted to bat first after winning the toss? Not having Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy, you have already lost half of your bowling. What was on your mind, to score 300 while batting first? Because, Mumbai Indians chased down 200-plus despite having your main bowlers. Punjab Kings have a very strong batting lineup,” Chopra asked.
He also reminded Rahane that the Duckworth-Lewis System (DLS) helps the chasing team rather then the team batting first. “Why did we chose to bat first when the conditions are overcast?" was Chopra's second question. "We all knew that it will rain and the DLS method always helps the team batting second,” added the former India cricketer.
Did Ajinkya Rahane read the pitch wrong?
Not just on Sunday, it was pouring at Ede Gardens on Saturday too along with thunderstorms, as KKR had to cancel their evening practice session and train indoors. As a result, the whole ground was under covers for almost 10 hours. In such cases, when the pitch stays covered for longer periods, the playing strip absorbs moisture, helping the seamers.
Chopra slammed Rahane for reading the pitch so wrong. “This ground was under covers for almost 10 hours. In such situations, there is always moisture on the pitch and it stays. That means, bowlers will certainly get help with the new ball and it is going to move left and right. Why did you opt to bat first in such a scenario? You read the pitch that wrong?” he asked third.
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Apart from Narine, Varun Chakaravarthy and Anukul Roy, KKR have roped in Hyderabad leg-spinner Daksh Kamra for ₹30 lakhs. At a time when KKR were missing both their spin mainstays, Chopra was surprised to see the franchise not picking 22-year-old.
“During the toss, you said that the pitch is dry. Why did you not play your spinners then? This was the perfect opportunity to play Daksh Kamra. You only added fast bowlers,” added Chopra.
What's next for KKR in IPL 2026?
With just a point from three games, KKR will next take on Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at home on April 19. It will be a big game for the home side as they need to win eight of the remaining 11 games for a spot in the playoffs. It will be interesting to see how Rahane will come out on Thursday.
Catch the live updates from IPL 2026 with the complete IPL 2026 Schedule and the IPL 2026 Points Table. Also, know who are currently leading the charts in IPL 2026 Orange Cap and IPL 2026 Purple Cap.
About the Author
Koushik Paul
Koushik lives and breathes sports. After transitioning from his own aspirations of becoming a professional athlete, he successfully channeled that lifelong passion into a prolific career, documenting the action both from the sidelines and the editorial desk. With over eight years of industry experience, Koushik joined LiveMint as a Deputy Chief Content Producer in 2024, following impactful stints at Outlook India, India.com, Sportskeeda, Women’s CricZone, and OrissaPOST. A 2017 Journalism and Mass Communication graduate from Maharaja Manindra Chandra College, Kolkata, Koushik has reported on high-profile events including the FIFA U17 World Cup 2017, Ranji Trophy, FIH Pro League, FIH World League finals, the Indian Premier League, and Lionel Messi’s historic visit to Kolkata in 2025. <br><br> While he possesses a versatile command over all sports, he finds his niche in cricket, specializing in breaking news, long-form interviews, global sporting updates, and high-energy live blogs. Koushik’s professional perspective was further sharpened through the 2020 AIPS Young Reporters Programme, where he gained invaluable insights from renowned international journalists, including Keir Radnedge and Riccardo Romani from the United Kingdom, and Martin Mazur from Argentina. Currently based between Kolkata and Delhi, Koushik remains at the forefront of the breaking developments that shape the public sporting discourse. When he isn't tracking scores or deconstructing plays, he can be found exploring new landscapes on his travels or channeling his creative energy into the kitchen. <br><br> If you have a compelling story to share or know an individual who deserves the spotlight, please reach out via email at <a href="koushik.paul@htdigital.in">koushik.paul@htdigital.in</a>.
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