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Ajinkya Rahane smashes a viral six in KKR pre IPL 2026 practice at Eden Gardens as he prepares to lead a revamped Kolkata Knight Riders as opener.
Ajinkya Rahane will lead Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2026 (Picture credit: AP)
Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Ajinkya Rahane was seen launching a huge six off Navdeep Saini’s bowling at the Eden Gardens in the team’s pre-IPL 2026 practice match, a video of which has gone viral on social media. Opening alongside Finn Allen, Rahane blazed to a 20-ball fifty, showing brilliant form.
Rahane faces a big challenge leading a revamped KKR team after sweeping changes in personnel and management. With Abhishek Nayar stepping in as head coach and senior names like Andre Russell and Venkatesh Iyer moving on, Rahane carries significant responsibility, not just as captain, but also as a key top-order batter.
Rahane batted at No. 3 in IPL 2025, with overseas openers Sunil Narine, Quinton de Kock and Rahmanullah Gurbaz ahead of him. While KKR struggled for stability at the top, Rahane enjoyed a prolific season, finishing as their leading run-scorer.
Rahane rolled back the years, dispatching Saini’s delivery on his pads for a towering six, sailing well beyond the deep square leg boundary. Watch the video here:
Ajinkya Rahane and KKR management made a blunder last year by not changing his position from No.3 to opening but this time he gonna smash 500 run for KKR as opener You can save this tweet!! pic.twitter.com/hBFdZ7DkHv
— कट्टर KKR समर्थक (@KKRWeRule) March 23, 2026
There were doubts over KKR’s captaincy heading into IPL 2026 after an underwhelming eighth-place finish, but the team has backed Rahane to continue as skipper, opting not to pursue alternative captaincy options at the mini auction.
“I have been leading the team since last year and really grateful to the franchise for giving me this responsibility to lead the team. Taking everything in my stride, positively taking everything,” Rahane said.
“My mindset has always been like that throughout my career, that if I see any challenges or particular, if something difficult is, I look at it positively and try to give my best as a player and also as a captain,” Rahane added.
March 24, 2026, 09:25 IST
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