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Ajinkya Rahane remains optimistic despite Kolkata Knight Riders enduring a difficult start to their Indian Premier League 2026 campaign, urging his side to play with freedom and focus on a match-by-match approach.

With six games played and no wins on the board, KKR find themselves in a precarious position. Their latest setback came against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad, where they slipped to a five-wicket defeat — their fifth loss in six outings. Their only point so far came from a rain-affected clash against Punjab Kings.

Acknowledging the tough phase, Rahane emphasized the importance of staying positive. He highlighted that the team is focused on improving daily, backing each other, and playing without pressure despite the results not going their way.

With just one point and eight matches remaining, KKR’s playoff hopes are fading fast. In a 10-team format, at least seven wins are typically needed to qualify, leaving the three-time champions with virtually no margin for error. Still, Rahane insisted the squad is determined to fight till the end and approach the remaining fixtures with a fearless mindset.

The skipper also addressed the team’s commitment, stating that every player is putting in maximum effort and playing for the fans of Kolkata. He added that regular discussions are held after each match to identify areas of improvement and refine team combinations.

Rahane’s own decisions have come under scrutiny, particularly after opting to bat first against Gujarat despite conditions favoring chasing. The move backfired early as KKR slumped to 32 for 3. However, Cameron Green led a recovery with a resilient 79 off 55 balls, helping the side post a competitive total.

Rahane praised Green’s courage under pressure, noting his aggressive approach against bowlers like Rashid Khan and the opposition pacers.

Despite the losses, KKR’s relatively inexperienced bowling attack has shown promise. Rahane singled out senior bowlers Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy for guiding the unit, while also applauding youngsters like Kartik Tyagi, Vaibhav Arora, and Anukul Roy for stepping up in crucial phases.

He credited the support staff for maintaining a positive dressing-room environment and reiterated that the team will continue striving for improvement.

With time running out, KKR now face a must-win situation as they prepare to take on Rajasthan Royals on Sunday in their next fixture back in Kolkata, hoping to turn their campaign around before it’s too late.

Edited by : Mary Rose Baba