IPL 2026: Are KKR fans losing hope?

Eden Gardens Kolkata. Image: Debasis Sen

Debasis Sen at Eden Gardens, Kolkata

Rohit, a resident of Ballygunge was miffed at the decision of Kolkata Knight Riders’ captain Ajinkya Rahane for opting to bat against Punjab Kings, with forecast of showers during the later stages of the match. The teenager was with his friends to watch the game at the Eden Gardens on Monday night. But as soon as the rain started to come down heavily, they decided to leave the stadium with frustration on their faces. It was the general mood of the fans last night who turned up to cheer for the home team.

“It is baffling to see him (Ajinkya Rahane) deciding to bat first after winning the toss. Any captain would prefer chasing with a forecast of showers,” said Rohit as he came out of the Club House.

Rahane’s call to bat first after winning the toss became the talking point, and rightly so. With rain threat looming, many questioned whether KKR would have been capable of posting a strong total had the game been completed.

There was an extremely low turnout for the game which is an unfamiliar sight at the Eden Gardens. Only about 20000 spectators turned up to cheer for the home team. Yes, it was the first day of the week and there was a forecast of showers. The key point is that the Rahane-led side ended up losing their first two fixtures, dampening the spirits of the fans.

KKR team owner and Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, who was present at the Eden with his daughter Suhana Khan, was seen involved in an animated discussion with CEO Venky Mysore. It clearly doesn’t say everything is good with the KKR franchise.

Rahane knew weather interruptions were likely. Dark clouds hovered around, alongside a gusty wind. Despite these warning signs, the decision to bat — combined with a less-than-ideal playing XI — backfired early, as the team struggled in the powerplay overs against the PBKS pacer Xavier Bartlett. Batting first, KKR lost both their overseas batters – Finn Allen and Cameron Green – with just 25 runs on board after 3.4 overs.

Conventional cricket strategy usually favours chasing in shortened matches, since it provides clarity on targets and pacing. Beyond the forecast, the pitch itself had a noticeable grass cover, and KKR were already dealing with a weakened bowling unit. All of this made the decision even more puzzling.

In the end, rain spared KKR from what could have been a far more difficult situation, as a late restart would likely have worked against them. However, the decision added to a growing list of questionable calls by the team management in the ongoing IPL 2026. Concerns around their batting order persist, and this latest tactical misstep has only intensified scrutiny of their overall approach.

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