Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) skipper Ajinkya Rahane has been under a lot of pressure early on in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. The three-time champions are winless in their first three games and sit ninth on the points table, with a miserable net run-rate of -1.964.
KKR’s campaign from here on out, however, does not promise any respite as their next opponents are the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), who last week conjured a confident victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
With the squad facing injury crisis, confidence and belief near rock bottom and the run of worrying results, the clash against Rishabh Pant and co. could very well become a turning point for Ajinkya Rahane especially if they go on to lose.
Considering that Rinku Singh has been appointed by the franchise as the vice-captain, and also led a significant part of the match against Mumbai Indians (MI), it is likely that the rest of their campaign will provide precious experience for him since he understands better what working with this franchise means, especially regarding its ethos, culture, and values.
So on that note, let’s check out the three reasons why Ajinkya Rahane should quit captaincy after KKR vs LSG of IPL 2026:
1. Significant unrest and conflict with fans and critics
Former heavyweights CSK and KKR are both languishing at the bottom of the IPL 2026 table. Their captains, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ajinkya Rahane, have delivered similar results so far and are under equal pressure. However, the way they are being perceived couldn’t be more different.
Rahane hasn’t helped his own cause either. His unusually blunt response regarding Cameron Green’s bowling availability, along with his sharp reactions to criticism about his strike rate, only added fuel to the fire. In hindsight, both situations could have been handled more tactfully. Things worsened when he opted to bowl first against Punjab Kings at home despite looming rain, a decision that didn’t sit well with fans.
Even though only 3.4 overs were possible before rain halted play, it was enough to trigger calls for his resignation. A prominent fan group even took to social media, urging the franchise to make a change after such a poor start.
When supporters begin to lose faith in a captain, it’s rarely a good sign. A recent example is Hardik Pandya’s return to Mumbai Indians, where fan backlash played a part in a disappointing 2024 campaign.
2. No visible signs of growth or progress
Rahane took over as KKR captain after Shreyas Iyer’s controversial exit, shortly after their 2024 title win. Given the impact of mega auction rules and the loss of key players, a transitional phase was expected, and missing the playoffs then was somewhat understandable.
However, the continued decline despite having the largest purse in the mini auction is concerning. While injuries in the bowling unit have not helped, there’s little evidence of improvement or evolution in the team’s overall performance.
Rahane is currently on a four-match losing streak as captain, with just two wins in his last eight matches in charge. Persistent issues from the previous season—like an unsettled batting order and lack of a clear team combination—still remain unresolved, despite fresh investments.
3. KKR still have time to reset their season
There are precedents of mid-season captaincy changes working out, and interestingly, KKR has been part of such stories. In 2018, Gautam Gambhir stepped down as Delhi Daredevils captain after a poor start, handing over to a young Shreyas Iyer. Though that season ended at the bottom, it laid the foundation for future success, including a final appearance.
Similarly, Dinesh Karthik relinquished KKR captaincy in 2020 amid inconsistent form, allowing Eoin Morgan to take charge. That transition eventually led the team to a final the following season.
While there’s no guarantee that Rinku Singh can instantly transform KKR if given the role, the season is still long. With Rahane struggling to turn things around and Rinku already being groomed as a leader, a change now could be beneficial.
Even if Rinku faces challenges initially, the experience could prove invaluable, helping him grow into a more refined and capable leader for the future.
