Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Ajinkya Rahane raising eyebrows in the cricket world by announcing himself “proud” A member of his team despite a nightmare start to IPL 2026. With four matches played, zero wins, one loss and three consecutive defeats, KKR are at the bottom of the points table. But after three wickets Last ball loss for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). At Eden Gardens, Rahane chose to focus on the positives rather than panic.
This announcement caused intense debate among fans and experts. But a closer look at the match and Rahane’s explanation reveals why the veteran captain remains optimistic.
KKR lose last ball thriller against LSG
KKR’s last defeat came in the most pathetic way possible. Defending 181/4, Knight Riders took the game to the last delivery. LSGs Mukul Chaudhary He smashed an unbeaten 54 off 27 balls to seal victory, but the margin was razor-thin – just three wickets and a ball to spare.
181 was a highly competitive score on a pitch that was far from a batting paradise. In contrast to the one-sided collapse, KKR pushed the opposition to the brink, a show of fight and resilience that Rahane believes bodes well for the rest of the tournament.
Rahane’s reaction after the game
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Rahane did not hesitate to express his true feelings.
“It’s hard to accept but we’re really proud of the boys for the way we played” he said. “Mukul’s knock was decisive but the fight we showed – especially with the bat – gives me a lot of confidence.”
He explained that the atmosphere in the locker room remained positive as the team lost by narrow margins instead of getting blown out. “We’re right there. One good, one lucky break and the results will change.” Rahane added.
Major positives for KKR
Despite the winless run, Rahane has pointed to improvements in a specific area that has been overlooked in the loss column.
Stroke depth: KKR 181/4 against LSG, Rahane himself 41, youngster Angkrish Raghuvanshi 45 and Rovman Powell smashed an unbeaten 39 off 20 balls.
Bowling weight: The bowlers took the game to the final with Harshit Rana and Varun Chakravarthy applying pressure at crucial moments.
Competitive Points: In their previous matches, KKR have consistently posted or chased totals above 160, which shows that the batting unit is firing.
Rahane specifically praised the middle order for stepping up in the absence of key overseas players.
Also WATCH: Ajinkya Rahane hits a freak six by sliding his bat through the middle during the KKR vs LSG match.
Rahane’s tactical explanation: Why the final didn’t go according to plan?
One of the biggest criticisms after the LSG loss was KKR’s execution in the final. Rahane gave a detailed tactical statement to defend his bowlers.
“Our plan was to keep Avesh Khan on strike as we felt he was less explosive. But it’s very difficult to control the boundary in the last over as only two bowlers are allowed outside the circle. Mukul played a gem in the innings. Sometimes you have to accept that the opposition’s batting is better that day,” he explained.
He also pointed out that the pitch at Eden Gardens has slowed down considerably, making it difficult for new batsmen to start batting immediately. The fact that LSG fought till the last ball proved that KKR’s total was indeed defendable.
Knight Riders will next face Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on April 14 at Chepauk. A win there would not only settle their score but also restore confidence. For now, Rahane’s message is clear: don’t judge this team by the scoreboard alone. The struggle is real and the turnaround is coming.
Also READ: Fans go wild as Mukul Choudhary’s late blitz takes LSG to a thrilling win over KKR in IPL 2026.
