Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Ajinkya Rahane accepted responsibility for the team’s 16-run defeat to Punjab Kings in Mullanpur, where they fell short chasing a modest 112. KKR were dismissed for just 95 in 15.1 overs, with Ajinkya Rahane admitting thebatters played “reckless shots” on a pitch that offered assistance to bowlers. He described the defeat as a “collective failure” of the batting unit and voiced his disappointment at the lack of application during the run chase.
After the match, Rahane said, “I take responsibility. As captain, I played a wrong shot, and that triggered the collapse.” He acknowledged the bowlers’ efforts, praising them for restricting a strong PBKS batting lineup to just 111. However, he emphasized that the batters let the team down despite the modest target.
Rahane, who shared a 55-run stand with Angkrish Raghuvanshi, fell lbw to Yuzvendra Chahal and did not opt for a review. Replays showed the ball had pitched outside off stump. Rahane later revealed that communication between him and Raghuvanshi was unclear, which influenced his decision. “No excuses,” he said. “We simply didn’t bat well, and that’s why we lost the game.”
Chahal’s dismissal of Rahane sparked a collapse, with KKR losing their last eight wickets for just 33 runs. Rahane stressed that the team lacked “game awareness” and failed to adjust to the conditions. “T20 isn’t just about hitting sixes,” he said. “It’s about understanding the situation and adjusting your play accordingly.”
Despite the defeat, Rahane remained hopeful, saying the team must stay positive and keep playing a good brand of cricket. “It’s still halfway through the tournament. We will definitely address our mistakes and bounce back stronger,” he concluded.
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