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Rahane Unfazed by Critics, Focused on T20 Growth After KKR Knock

Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane expressed happiness with his batting form after scoring 67 off 40 balls in the IPL 2026 opener. He emphasized his focus on continuous improvement in T20 cricket rather than proving his talent to outside critics. Despite contributions from Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Rinku Singh, KKR's total of 220 was chased down by Mumbai Indians. Rahane specifically credited Jasprit Bumrah's exceptional death bowling for restricting KKR's final score.

Key Points: Ajinkya Rahane on IPL Form: "Not here to show talent"

  • Rahane satisfied with current batting form
  • Focus on T20 game improvement over proving critics wrong
  • Credits Jasprit Bumrah's death bowling
  • KKR's 220 total not enough against MI
2 min read

"Not here to show anyone how talented I am": KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane

KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane discusses his batting improvement and responds to critics after a strong 67 in the IPL 2026 opener against Mumbai Indians.

"I'm not here to show anyone how talented I am. - Ajinkya Rahane"

Mumbai, March 30

Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Ajinkya Rahane expressed satisfaction with his current batting form, stressing that his focus is on continuous improvement in T20 cricket rather than proving his talent to others, while remaining unfazed by outside criticism.

KKR skipper made a decent 67 off 40 balls in his side's IPL 2026 opener against the Mumbai Indians on Sunday. Before Sunday's clash, Rahane last played a match in December 2025.

Amid growing speculation over his future, Rahane answered in style, marking his return after a three-month layoff with a fluent 40-ball 67 at the Wankhede Stadium.

"I'm really happy the way I'm batting at the moment. I'm not here to show anyone how talented I am. Let them watch, let them talk, but I'm really happy the way I have improved my game in the last two-three years in the white-ball T20 format. It's important to grow as a cricketer as a batsman, and that's what I'm trying to do. People will keep talking and let them talk," Rahane told the reporters after the match.

Rahane's effort went in vain as Ryan Rickelton and Rohit Sharma's majestic fifties helped MI to register a dominant six-wicket victory over KKR.

With half-centuries from Rahane, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, and a late cameo from Rinku Singh, KKR posted 220 in their 20 overs.

Rahane believed it was a good total and KKR were on the path to get around 240, but MI's ace seamer Jasprit Bumrah's 2 overs in the death retricted them to 220.

Bumrah bowled the 18th and 20th overs, and only conceded 19 runs with set batters Angkrish and Rinku at the crease.

"We all thought initially 220 was a good total, we were on the path to get around 235, 240. But those two overs from Bumrah made a lot of difference. I know why he's such a great bowler," he said.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
Respect for Rahane's mindset. In the age of flashy T20 cricket, his focus on steady improvement is refreshing. But honestly, the match was lost because of Bumrah. That man is a magician. 19 runs in 2 overs at the death with those batters? Unreal.
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Vikram M
Good innings, but the captain has to take some responsibility for the loss. 220 at Wankhede is not always safe, especially against MI's batting. Should have pushed for 240 as he said. Bumrah was brilliant, but maybe the batting order could have been more aggressive in the middle.
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Priya S
So happy to see Jinx back and scoring runs! 🥳 He has worked so hard on his white-ball game. People were writing him off. This is the perfect answer. Hope he continues this form. KKR fans, keep faith!
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Rohit P
The real story is Bumrah. "I know why he's such a great bowler" – even the opposition skipper is in awe. That's the difference between a good team and a champion side. MI has that X-factor player.
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Michael C
Interesting perspective. In a results-driven league, focusing on process over proving points is a mature approach. The scorecard shows a loss, but if Rahane maintains this form, KKR will win more than they lose. Promising start despite the result.

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