Ajinkya Rahane Takes Responsibility for KKR’s Stunning Collapse Against Punjab Kings

In a match that seemed destined for a Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) victory, the unthinkable happened. Chasing a modest target of 112 runs at the iconic Eden Gardens, KKR crumbled under pressure, suffering a dramatic collapse to be bowled out for just 95 runs in 15.1 overs. Punjab Kings, against all odds, scripted a historic 17-run victory, leaving fans and players alike in sheer disbelief.

KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane, known for his calm demeanor and steely resolve, stood at the forefront of the post-match press conference, taking full responsibility for the debacle. ‘I will take the blame as the captain of this team. I played the wrong shot at a crucial moment. Even if it was missing, I still hold myself accountable,’ Rahane admitted with a heavy heart, reflecting the weight of leadership after such an unexpected loss.

At one stage, KKR were cruising at 71 for 3 in 9.1 overs, with Rahane and young talent Angkrish Raghuvanshi steadying the ship. Rahane even showcased his class with a majestic straight six off a Bartlett half-volley, smashing it into the sightscreen to take KKR to 55 for 2 at the end of the powerplay. ‘Until I was at the crease, we were focused on securing the 2 points. The wicket wasn’t easy, but 111 was definitely chaseable,’ Rahane reflected.

However, what followed was nothing short of catastrophic. KKR lost 7 wickets for just 24 runs in the next 6 overs, as Punjab’s bowlers, led by their spinners, exploited the deteriorating pitch and KKR’s reckless shot selection. Rahane didn’t shy away from criticizing the batting unit, including himself. ‘We batted really badly. As a unit, we were a bit reckless. Individually, you need to stay confident, let the ball come to you, and play proper cricketing shots. We failed to do that today,’ he said candidly.

One of the turning points came with a controversial decision involving Raghuvanshi. Rahane revealed the uncertainty around an umpire’s call during their discussion at the crease. ‘Angkrish wasn’t sure, and he thought it could be the umpire’s call. I wasn’t certain either, and that was the conversation we had,’ he explained, hinting at how small moments of indecision snowballed into a larger collapse.

Despite the batting failure, Rahane was quick to praise his bowlers for their exceptional effort in restricting a formidable Punjab Kings batting lineup to just 111 runs. ‘Our bowlers did a fantastic job on this surface. To hold a strong Punjab side to such a low total was commendable,’ he noted, highlighting a silver lining in an otherwise gloomy performance.

With half of the IPL 2023 season still to go, Rahane remains optimistic about KKR’s chances. ‘Too many thoughts are running through my head right now, but it’s still early days. When I go upstairs, I’ll try to stay calm and figure out what to say to the boys. We need to stay positive, play our brand of cricket, address the issues, and move forward,’ he said, emphasizing the importance of resilience in a long tournament like the IPL.

This defeat marks KKR’s second consecutive loss in the tournament, putting pressure on the two-time champions to regroup quickly. With tough matches ahead, including a clash against table-toppers Gujarat Titans, Rahane and his men will need to address their batting frailties and rediscover the winning momentum that defined their early campaign. For now, though, the sting of this shocking defeat will linger, as KKR reflects on a night where victory slipped through their fingers in the most dramatic fashion.