Ajinkya Rahane to critics: ‘Let people talk, I’m not here to prove my talent’

Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane brushed aside criticism over his batting after leading from the front in their IPL 2026 opener against Mumbai Indians.

Rahane made it clear he has nothing to prove, saying he is content with his current form and approach. The veteran top-order batter played a fluent knock at Wankhede Stadium, scoring 67 off 40 balls to anchor KKR’s innings. His effort helped Kolkata Knight Riders post a commanding 220 for 4 on a batting-friendly surface, even though MI eventually chased it down with six wickets in hand.

“Let people talk — they’ve been doing that for years. I’m happy with how I’m batting right now. I’m not here to prove my talent or show anyone my game,” Rahane said after the match.

He also highlighted his evolution in white-ball cricket, particularly in the T20 format over the last few seasons, stressing the importance of continuous improvement as a batter.

Rahane’s innings, featuring three boundaries and five sixes, was well supported by Angkrish Raghuvanshi (51) and Finn Allen (37 off 17), ensuring KKR maintained a strong scoring rate throughout the innings.

The performance comes amid scrutiny over Rahane’s leadership following KKR’s eighth-place finish in IPL 2025, where he was still the team’s leading run-scorer with 390 runs.

No major injury concern

There was a brief scare during MI’s chase when Rahane walked off the field due to cramps. However, the KKR skipper later confirmed that the issue was not serious and that his exit was purely precautionary after receiving treatment from the team physios.

With no major injury concerns, Rahane is expected to be available for KKR’s upcoming matches as the season progresses.