Time and again, Ajinkya Rahane has reminded everyone that he is still one of the best batters – irrespective of the format. He did so just that once again in Kolkata Knight Riders vs Mumbai Indians clash on March 29. However, there was quite some difference as to how he batted in the powerplay vs how he batted in the middle-overs, and it doesn’t paint a good picture of the team.
Rahane has been one of the highest run-getters for KKR since his entry to the team in IPL 2025. Despite having amassed 390 runs in 13 matches in IPL 2025, his strike rate hasn’t been worthy of that for an opener in the IPL and instead been a let down factor, which has put more pressure on the team. The latest example for that is the IPL 2026 opening game against Mumbai Indians (MI).
Rahane’s T20 struggles exposed
Coming out to bat as an opener, Rahane managed to score 67 runs off 40 deliveries before he was sent packing in the 14th over by Shardul Thakur. But what is pertinent to point out is how he managed to score runs easily in the powerplay versus how he struggled in the middle-overs, leading up to his dismissal.
Rahane managed to get KKR off to a flying start, scoring 36 runs off just 18 deliveries in the powerplay. However, once the field restrictions were lifted, the veteran slowed down. He took 22 deliveries to score the next 31 runs, clearly indicating that the struggled in the middle-overs. In terms of boundaries, Rahane scored five within the powerplay. However, he slowed down significantly after that, and scored just three more boundaries before he was sent packing.
Despite being a veteran, it would have been better off if Rahane had retired himself out soon after the powerplay. The reason being that he slowed down the innings for KKR, who could have potentially made it to a 200+ run total with ease at the end of 15 overs. if they had some more fireworks. But due to Rahane’s poor strike rate after the powerplay, the scoreboard stopped ticking at the pace at which it was previously.
KKR were put in to bat first in their first game of IPL 2026, with Mumbai Indians winning the toss an opting to bat first at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday. KKR managed to get a steal deal in the form of Rahane after buying him for just Rs 1.5 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction. Not only did they find a new captain in the Mumbai star but also a consistent batter who is a veteran but has reinvented his game in the shortest format. In IPL 2025, Rahane allowed his bat to do the talking, with his fine form in white-ball format continuing. He amassed 390 runs from 13 matches, averaging 35.45.
Cricket
Powerplay vs middle overs: Two tales of Ajinkya Rahane in MI vs KKR clash
