Stands may be empty but when your entire team, especially coaches and scouts, are watching, you need to perform. Angkrish Raghuvanshi did exactly that at Eden Gardens.
In an intra-squad game in Kolkata Knight Riders’ preparations ahead of IPL 2026, the 21-year-old produced a knock that has suddenly complicated KKR’s team selection. Batting at No. 3, Raghuvanshi smashed an unbeaten 103 off 55 balls, peppering the ground with nine fours and five sixes.
The chase of 200 was wrapped up in 19.2 overs, but the bigger takeaway was the clarity with which he owned that No. 3 role. And that is where the headache begins for Ajinkya Rahane and the KKR think tank.
IPL 2026: Raghuvanshi makes a strong case for No. 3
What stood out wasn’t just the hitting. It was the way Raghuvanshi built the innings. He didn’t try to dominate from ball one. There was a phase early on where he just settled in, let others take the risks, and found his timing. Then came the shift.
Once set, he opened up through the middle overs, picking gaps, taking on spin, and making sure the asking rate never became a problem. By the time he got into the 80s, the chase was already under control. Finn Allen had given them a brisk start, and Anukul Roy finished things off, but the game had already been decided by then. Raghuvanshi had done the heavy lifting.
This is important because KKR’s middle order was a problem area last season. Positions four to eight never really clicked, and the team paid the price, finishing eighth. A player who can anchor and accelerate at No. 3 solves more than one issue. Even in the build-up to the season, Raghuvanshi had kept things open, saying he was willing to bat anywhere.
Good problem for KKR, tough call for Rahane
Now comes the tricky part. KKR don’t lack options. In fact, they might have too many. Allen and Tim Seifert are both in the mix to open, especially after their recent exploits. Also, they need to one of them to play as a keeper too. If not, KKR may need to find space for Tejasvi Dahiya, who doesn’t have any IPL experience. Sunil Narine, meanwhile, is always a tempting option as an opener. Cameron Green, Rachin Ravindra and others add to the overseas puzzle.
And then there is Rahane, the captain, who will slot in somewhere at the top. So where does Raghuvanshi go?
Ideally, you’d want him at No. 3 after a knock like that. But fitting him there means pushing someone else out or reshuffling a combination that is still being figured out. Perhaps then, Green, the costliest overseas player ever in the IPL, will need to be pushed at number four. Then it is easy with Rinku Singh, Rovman Powell and Ramandeep Singh following up.
That’s the call KKR need to make before March 29, when they open against Mumbai Indians. Head coach Abhishek Nayar admitted recently that getting the combinations right is their biggest challenge.
Most runs for KKR since Raghuvanshi’s debut
| Player | Inns | Runs | HS | Avg | SR | 50 | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunil Narine | 25 | 732 | 109 | 30.50 | 178.53 | 3 | 75 | 52 |
| Venkatesh Iyer | 19 | 505 | 70 | 36.07 | 153.03 | 5 | 49 | 23 |
| Angkrish Raghuvanshi | 18 | 463 | 54 | 28.93 | 144.68 | 2 | 46 | 16 |
| Ajinkya Rahane | 12 | 390 | 61 | 35.45 | 147.72 | 3 | 36 | 20 |
| Phil Salt | 11 | 381 | 89* | 38.10 | 191.45 | 3 | 47 | 21 |
