IPL 2026: Ex-India cricketer urges KKR to drop Rahane if fortunes don’t change

IPL 2026: Ex-India Cricketer Calls for KKR to Replace Rahane if Results Don’t Improve

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) remain winless in IPL 2026, sitting at the bottom of the table with just one point from five matches. The team’s struggles have been highlighted under captain Ajinkya Rahane, who leads a side that has lost to Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Lucknow Super Giants, and most recently, Chennai Super Kings.

KKR will aim for their first victory when they face Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on Friday. Former India captain Kris Srikkanth has advised giving Rahane one or two more opportunities. However, if he fails to deliver as captain, Srikkanth suggests replacing him with Sunil Narine midway through the season.

In a recent match against CSK, Rahane batted at No.3 instead of his usual opening position and scored 28 runs from 22 balls. KKR’s expensive purchase, Cameron Green, batted down the order but was dismissed for a golden duck. Srikkanth criticized Rahane’s decision to bat in the middle order, stating it was incorrect to make him captain in the first place.

Rahane has accumulated 152 runs in five matches this season with a strike rate of 149.01. However, Srikkanth believes KKR should drop both Finn Allen and Cameron Green and instead bring in Rachin Ravindra and Matheesha Pathirana to balance the team.

Pathirana, who missed the T20 World Cup due to a calf injury, has now received clearance to play. Acquired by KKR for ₹18 crore, his arrival could significantly boost their bowling department, which has been underperforming this season.