Dismissing suggestions that he ever considered stepping down as Kolkata Knight Riders captain during their disastrous start to IPL 2026, Ajinkya Rahane reflected on a turbulent campaign that eventually ended with the three-time champions missing out on the playoffs on the final day of the league stage.
Ajinkya Rahane fined ₹12 lakh for slow over-rate as KKR slump continues. CSK secure dominant win, powered by Noor Ahmad and a strong batting display.
In a communication to the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), Rahane said he wants to continue as a player for the team. Later, he took to social media to announce his decision.
The fast bowler made that clear in pre-series interviews and went on to feature in only the first, third, and fourth Tests, delivering 119.4 overs for 14 wickets at an average of 26.
Indian middle-order batter Ajinkya Rahane shared some captaincy tips for t skipper Shubman Gill and backed left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav's inclusion in the fourth Test against England at Manchester
The partnership helped Kohli and Rahane surpass Pakistan's Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Yousuf, Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar, Mahela Jayawardene and Thilan Samaraweera to become the duo with the second-most runs for the fourth wicket in Test cricket.
Skipper Virat Kohli and vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane touched down at around 9.40 am before the rest of the players and headed straight to the team hotel.
The Mayank-Rahane duo added another 115 runs in the second session at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore.
Abu Jayed, who had claimed the wicket of Rohit Sharma (6) on Day 1, was impressive with the ball in the following day and claimed all the two wickets which fell in the first session of Day 2.
Rahane has been the most capped player of Royals and has featured in 100 matches for them including the 24 in which he has captained the side.
