Ajinkya Rahane's captaincy rated weak link in damning KKR preview: ‘He is definitely a weakness’

The former CSK batter did not hold back in his assessment of three-time champions KKR, calling out Ajinkya Rahane’s captaincy.

Updated on: Mar 20, 2026, 07:05:54 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Former CSK batter Subramaniam Badrinath has challenged Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane’s claim of being the weak link in the team. Ahead of IPL 2025, KKR parted ways with their title-winning skipper Shreyas Iyer and brought in Rahane at his base price during the mega auction, appointing him as captain. The move failed to deliver as expected, with the team struggling throughout the season and missing out on a playoff spot, leaving questions over leadership and team balance ahead of the next campaign.

Ajinkya Rahane scored 390 runs in 13 matches last season at a strike rate of 147.73. (PTI)

He scored 390 runs in 13 matches last season at a strike rate of 147.73. His batting position came under scrutiny, with many suggesting that his presence in the top order disrupted KKR’s fearless approach that had helped them win the IPL 2025 title.

Badrinath did not hold back in his assessment of three-time champions KKR, calling out Rahane’s captaincy and the team’s high-profile signings as major concerns ahead of the new season.

“Ajinkya Rahane is definitely a weakness. His captaincy itself is a weak link. All their big investments have gone wrong. They trusted Harshit Rana and invested in him, but he is ruled out. Pathirana was a huge signing, and now he’s doubtful. Mustafizur was another big investment, and he is ruled out. They’ve taken many costly decisions as there is uncertainty over most of their big investments,” Badrinath said on his YouTube channel.

“Cameron Green went for so much purely because of the hype”

It will be intriguing to see where Rahane is slotted this season, given KKR’s new additions. Tim Seifert was New Zealand’s top scorer with 326 runs at a strike rate exceeding 165, while Finn Allen contributed 298 runs at a strike rate of 200, including the fastest T20 World Cup century against South Africa at Eden Gardens.

Following his earlier remarks, Badrinath criticised KKR’s expensive signing of Cameron Green, questioning the justification for the hefty price tag and highlighting the player’s recent struggles, including a disappointing T20 World Cup performance for Australia.

“You’ve signed him for 25 crores, and he is woefully out of form. He struggled massively for Australia in the T20 World Cup. Cameron Green went for so much purely because of the hype. He is not worth that much. Has he singlehandedly done anything in the IPL? Australian players always get hyped up, and he benefited from that. I believe it was a bad move by KKR,” remarked Badrinath.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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