Despite overhauling its squad after a disappointing title defence in 2025, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has retained faith in skipper Ajinkya Rahane, who said on Friday that he is embracing the responsibility with calmness and positivity.<\/p>\n
Rahane, who topped KKR\u2019s scoring charts last season with 390 runs, could not prevent the team from finishing eighth with just five wins in 14 matches.<\/p>\n
But the veteran insisted that pressure is nothing new, and he is focused on approaching challenges with the right mindset.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery 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,\u201d the 37-year-old said during KKR\u2019s first media interaction of the season.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy 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,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
After last season\u2019s underwhelming finish, Rahane said it\u2019s important to start strong while maintaining consistency through the long tournament.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a team, we would like to start really well this season. It\u2019s a long tournament and you don\u2019t want to peak too early. As a team, and also the expectations from the boys, basically, you don\u2019t look for a perfect game. There are going to be errors throughout the tournament.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut 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,\u201d Rahane said.<\/p>\n
KKR heads into IPL 2026 with a revamped batting unit after releasing stalwarts Andre Russell and Venkatesh Iyer, and splurging big at the auction, including a record Rs 25.20 crore for Cameron Green.<\/p>\n
The squad now boasts explosive options like Finn Allen and Tim Seifert, alongside Sunil Narine and Rahane himself at the top of the order.<\/p>\n
Despite the abundance of choices, Rahane remained tight-lipped about the batting order and combinations.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe batting group which we have this year is amazing. I mean, most of the batters, they\u2019re in good form. Guys from overseas also in good, very good nick. Had a very good World Cup as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cSee, frankly, I\u2019m 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 in very good nick and we just started our camp with this before, so really excited for the season,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Published on Mar 20, 2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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