IPL 2026: He is still has another gear to unlock’ – Former MI pacer backs Angkrish Raghuvanshi to become a bigger match-winner

Former MI pacer Mitchell McClenaghan believes Angkrish Raghuvanshi needs to elevate his game further to make a bigger impact. Kolkata Knight Riders registered a commanding 29-run win over Gujarat Titans at Eden Gardens, powered by half-centuries from Raghuvanshi, Finn Allen, and Cameron Green.

Raghuvanshi remained unbeaten on 82 off 44 balls, smashing four boundaries and seven sixes. He is KKR’s leading run-scorer this season, amassing 422 runs at an average of 42.20 and a strike rate of 146.53, including 19 sixes and 40 fours.

“I think we’ll probably see the Angkrish opening, if not towards the back end of this season, then definitely next year, in my view. He is a good, well-rounded player. But I think there’s another gear he still needs to find to make a little more impact,” McClenaghan said in JioHotstar.

“We’re seeing Shreyas and Shubman go through gears two, three and four. He’s stuck in third gear at the moment, but third gear was good enough in this game. He’s getting better every single game and growing in confidence. He’s got all the shots, and I really like the way he plays his cricket,” he added.

Earlier in the match, Gujarat Titans opted to bowl first against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens, but the decision backfired as the hosts produced a batting masterclass.

KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane departed early for 14, but Finn Allen launched a brutal counterattack, smashing 93 off just 35 balls with four fours and 10 sixes. Alongside him, Angkrish Raghuvanshi tore into the GT bowling attack as the duo stitched together a blazing 95-run partnership.

After Allen’s dismissal, Raghuvanshi brought up his fifth half-century of the season and shifted gears further during a dominant 108-run stand with Cameron Green, guiding KKR to a massive 247/2 in 20 overs.

In reply, GT suffered an early setback when Sai Sudharsan retired hurt. Captain Shubman Gill kept the chase alive with a brilliant 85 off 49 balls, featuring five fours and seven sixes, while Jos Buttler contributed 57 off 35 deliveries with five fours and two sixes. The pair added 128 runs and briefly revived GT’s hopes.

However, once Gill and Buttler were dismissed, the required run rate proved too steep, and GT eventually finished on 218/4 in their 20 overs. Sunil Narine starred with the ball for KKR, returning figures of 2/29 and earning the Player of the Match award.