'They're jealous' - KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane's strong response to critics over strike-rate row

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Ajinkya Rahane has hit back at critics who suggest his style of play is not suited to modern T20 cricket. This comes after KKR’s second consecutive defeat of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, losing to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by 65 runs at the Eden Gardens on Thursday, April 2.

Rahane, in particular, had a disappointing game whilst opening the batting alongside Finn Allen. The 37-year-old could not get his rhythm going and struggled to find the middle of the bat, only to top-edge it to Eshan Malinga at midwicket off the bowling of Jaydev Unadkat for eight runs off 10 balls.

Despite his underwhelming performance against SRH, Rahane is not worried about outside noise criticising his strike-rate and insisted that the people negatively talking about him are just jealous of his successful career as a batter. 

"My strike rate... I have the best strike rate so far, from 2023. People who are talking are probably not watching the game or have a certain agenda against me. They don't like me playing. They don't like to watch me play. The amount of success I've got, I guess they're jealous about that,” Rahane was quoted as saying on ESPNcricinfo.

Rahane, however, does put his hand up to admit he was not able to get his timing right against SRH on Thursday. However, he knows what is expected of him while opening the batting and will continue to back himself to forge a strong opening stand alongside Allen. 

"I'm not too worried, yaar. My intent was there. Sometimes as a batter you don't get the rhythm or the flow. People who are talking either don't understand the game or they want me to play a different kind of innings. They didn't expect that Ajinkya Rahane would improve his game this much. I am happy they are talking about me - negative or positive. Let them talk. But partnering Finn Allen, it has been very good. The first six overs you need to look to play fearless cricket with freedom. At times you will struggle, that's okay, it's important to accept. But I know what I'm doing, I know what I've done in the past, and I back myself instead of thinking about what others are saying. Whoever are talking about it, let them talk,” Rahane added.

Rahane’s strike-rate has drastically increased ever since he was picked up by the Chennai Super Kings in 2023. In their title-winning year, the former India scored at a strike-rate of 172.48. 

Since the 2023 IPL season, Rahane’s powerplay strike-rate of 167.78 is second only to Abhishek Sharma’s 176.56. The problem with the KKR captain’s strike-rate is that it significantly drops after the first six overs are done, while someone like Abhishek continues to score big even once the field is spread out.