Kolkata Knight Riders’ skipper Ajinkya Rahane admitted that the three-time IPL title holders’ chase faltered during the middle overs, with the lack of substantial partnerships proving costly against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Eden Gardens here on Thursday.
“I thought we did a couple of big partnerships. Guys who were set needed to take it deep in the end with the ball (bat). I thought we came back really well for 7-8 overs,” he said.
Rahane felt the conditions became slightly more challenging in the second innings, but refused to use it as an excuse. “I thought the second innings, I felt the ball was slightly stopping. The slower balls were gripping a lot more than in the first innings. We thought the wicket would get better, but the ball was a little stopping. But again, see, no excuses.”
Rahane felt the conditions became slightly more challenging in the second innings but refused to use it as an excuse. “I thought in the second innings the ball was slightly stopping. The slower balls were gripping a lot more than in the first innings. We thought the wicket would get better, but the ball was a little stopping. But again, see, no excuses.”
He reiterated that the middle overs were decisive in the chase.
“We got a good start. I thought the first six overs we were 78… As I said, the middle overs were the crucial time for us. We needed that partnership from the set batters. That just didn’t happen,” he said.
Rahane also emphasised the importance of winning at home and hinted at possible tactical tweaks ahead of their next fixture. After two losses, the Kolkata franchise will look to bounce back when they host Punjab Kings on April 6 and Lucknow Super Giants on April 9.
“Winning a home game is really important. So, we’ll have to just go back to the drawing room, just think about our combination… Just one off day with the bat. Last game we did really well. Just needed those small partnerships,” he further said.
Rahane, who endured a sluggish start, managing only eight runs off his first nine deliveries before top-edging a slower ball from Jaydev Unadkat, also hit out at critics questioning his strike rate and intent, saying they have a certain agenda against him.
“My strike rate… I have the best strike rate so far, from 2023. People who are talking are probably not watching the game or have a certain agenda against me. They don’t like me playing, they don’t like to watch me play. The amount of success I’ve had, I guess they are jealous of me. I’m not too worried. My intent was there. Sometimes, as a batter, you don’t get the rhythm or the flow,” Rahane told reporters during the post-match presser.
Since IPL 2023, only Abhishek Sharma (176.56) has a better strike rate than Rahane (167.78) in the powerplay among Indians (with a cut-off of 250 balls faced).
“People who are talking either don’t understand the game or they want me to play a different kind of innings. They didn’t expect that Ajinkya Rahane would improve his game this much. I am happy they are talking about me, negative or positive. Let them talk. But partnering Finn Allen, it has been very good. In the first six overs, you need to look to play fearless cricket with freedom. At times you will struggle, that’s okay, it’s important to accept.
“But I know what I’m doing, I know what I’ve done in the past, and I back myself instead of thinking about what others are saying. Whoever is talking about it, let them talk,” the Mumbai batter added.