IPL 2026: Rahane: ‘When the team is struggling, it is important to show your character’

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season was a true test of resilience for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Entering the tournament as the biggest spenders at the late 2025 auction, expectations were sky-high. However, cricket is a game played on the field, not on paper. A series of unfortunate injuries coupled with having to let go of key pacer Mustafizur Rahman severely disrupted the squad’s balance. What followed was a devastating six-match losing streak that threatened to completely derail their campaign.

Yet, in Ajinkya Rahane, KKR possessed a leader seasoned in navigating the deepest of cricketing crises. Rahane’s captaincy credentials remain legendary, most notably when he guided a depleted Indian Test side in Australia to a historic series win after being bowled out for 36 in Adelaide, with barely enough fit players to put an XI together. Drawing parallels to that miraculous turnaround, Rahane emphasized the need for unity. According to the skipper, the core philosophy during their lowest ebb was simple: the team had to stay together.

The Dramatic Climax of the League Stage

The drama reached its peak on the final day of the league stage. KKR faced Delhi Capitals (DC) in a crucial clash, but their fate was not entirely in their own hands. Simultaneously, Rajasthan Royals (RR) were battling Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium. To maintain complete focus on the task at hand, the KKR squad made a conscious decision not to seek real-time updates from the other fixture.

It was only after Delhi Capitals finished their innings that the grim reality set in. Rajasthan Royals had won their match, officially eliminating KKR from the playoff race. Tasked with chasing down a target of 204 runs to finish the season on a high, a deflated KKR lineup was eventually bowled out for 163, ending their campaign in seventh place on the points table.

Silver Linings: The Rise of Tyagi and Roy

Despite the disappointment of finishing seventh, Rahane remained optimistic about the future. He recalled the season’s opening press conference where he labeled the campaign as a “season of opportunities.” For KKR, those opportunities were seized spectacularly by two young Indian talents: Kartik Tyagi and Anukul Roy.

Kartik Tyagi enjoyed a breakthrough year, finishing the league stage with 18 wickets—the third-highest among all Indian bowlers in the tournament. Anukul Roy, playing his first full IPL season, was equally impressive, claiming nine wickets in 12 innings and remaining unbeaten in two successful run chases.

Rahane spoke highly of both players’ contributions. “When we sat down at the start of the season, I thought, this is a great time for Anukul to come in and play each and every game,” Rahane observed. “He had a fantastic Syed Mushtaq Ali season. I believe that whoever has a good season in the domestic league, you carry that confidence forward. Anukul Roy just did that.”

Reflecting on Tyagi’s campaign, the skipper added, “Talking about Kartik Tyagi, he was clear. We played practice games—two, three practice matches—and practice sessions as well. He was really clear about his thought process. You will go for runs as a bowler but as long as you’re clear what you want to do for your team, that’s what matters. For these two guys, this is just the beginning. I’m sure they have the potential to do really well in the future and go and play at the highest level as well.”

Handling the Heat: Rahane on Captaincy and Character

In the high-pressure environment of the IPL, captains are often under intense scrutiny. When KKR’s playoff hopes were hanging by a thread, questions arose regarding whether Rahane considered stepping down to allow a team reset—a path previously taken by the likes of Dinesh Karthik, Ricky Ponting, and Gautam Gambhir.

Rahane dismissed any such notions with trademark composure. He pointed out that professional cricketers owe their status to the supporters, accepting both praise and criticism as part of the sport. Explaining his stance, he emphasized: Rahane: ‘When the team is struggling, it is important to show your character’.

“As cricketers, we are what we are because of our fans,” Rahane stated. “They appreciate when we do well and criticise when we don’t. This is part of the game and all cricketers understand this. For me, I have played my whole cricket with the right attitude. Character has always been very important for me. I am never one that steps down. When the team is struggling, it is important to show your character.”

He acknowledged that dealing with losing streaks requires immense mental strength. “Pressure does come, yes, it is very natural. Pressure comes to the privileged. When you lose five-six matches, your mind goes to the past and future, but it is important to stay in that moment. Things can turn around anytime. I told the players after losing six games that it just takes one game to change things around; the most important thing for the team is to believe and keep doing what we are doing.”

Looking Forward to the Future

A long break before their first victory against Rajasthan Royals proved crucial for the squad to recalibrate. While some tactical changes had to be made, Rahane was honest in admitting that the team played some sub-par cricket at times during the season.

With the IPL 2027 season still far on the horizon, Rahane preferred to focus on the immediate positives and praise his squad’s fighting spirit. The comeback KKR mounted in the latter half of the tournament, starting from their eighth game onwards, showed the true depth of their resolve.

“Players hardly get to experience this kind of comeback, the kind of comeback we did—came so far—from those seven games onwards,” Rahane concluded. “Hats off to each and every one. There’s lots to learn. Yes, you always feel bad when you don’t qualify for the playoffs, and every team wants to be in the top four. But for me, as a leader of the team, I’m really proud of the boys, how they handled themselves.”