‘He can neither smash the bowling, nor anchor the innings’ – World Cup winner calls Ajinkya Rahane a ‘huge problem’ for KKR

Kris Srikkanth questioned Ajinkya Rahane’s role in the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) side ahead of their opening clash in IPL 2026 against the Mumbai Indians (MI) on Sunday, March 29, at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Rahane is set to lead KKR for the second straight season. Last year, he was the highest run-getter for KKR. However, the three-time champions finished a disappointing eighth. This time, they have assembled a stronger side, but Srikkanth feels that Rahane could block a position at the top of the batting order, adding that he can neither smash the bowlers nor anchor the innings

“Ajinkya Rahane is going to be a huge problem for them. Coming and opening, he is going to block that slot. He is playing because he’s the captain. If you think about it, he can neither smash the bowling nor anchor the innings like Virat Kohli. He surprised us in 2023, but even before that, he didn’t do well for a long time. That’s the missing link for KKR,” Srikkanth said in a video on his YouTube channel.

“What is the value he is going to add as a player?” – Kris Srikkanth on Ajinkya Rahane

Srikkanth reiterated that KKR could struggle with Rahane at the top of the order, highlighting his struggles with the bat since the 2023 edition of the IPL, where his explosive batting played a key role in the Chennai Super Kings’ triumph.

“He is playing and possibly opening only because he has to compulsorily play as the captain. Even last year, he didn’t do very well for KKR. He is playing as a captain but what is the value he is going to add as a player? He did brilliantly for CSK in 2023 and won them the title. But the last two years, he has not done anything great. That’s where KKR are stuck,” said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).

KKR have two in-form openers in Finn Allen and Tim Seifert in their lineup. However, if Rahane opens, only one of them will probably find a place in the playing XI. The KKR captain, however, would not want to block the outside voices for now and focus on giving his best for the Kolkata-based franchise.