Rahane Backs Flexibility in KKR's Bowling Strategy for IPL

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], April 3:
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Ajinkya Rahane emphasized the importance of flexibility in the team’s bowling strategy, suggesting that decisions should be based on match situations rather than sticking to a fixed four-over quota for bowlers.

Rahane Stresses Assessing Bowlers’ Form and Confidence

Rahane explained that assessing a bowler’s form and confidence during the game is crucial for making decisions. While he initially wanted Varun Chakravarthy to bowl his full quota, Rahane admitted that the opposition’s strong batting forced him to change plans. Chakravarthy bowled only two overs against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in KKR’s IPL 2026 match on Thursday, conceding 31 runs with just one dot ball in his 12 deliveries.

“Sometimes, you’ve got to see the mentality of the bowler, what he is going through. It’s not compulsory to bowl four overs. If he’s struggling, you’ve got to accept that he is struggling. I wanted Varun to bowl four overs, but the way their batters were going… Anukul bowled two really good overs,” Rahane said during the post-match interview.

Praise for Anukul Roy’s Impactful Bowling

Rahane also praised Anukul Roy for his impactful spell and for his strong form in domestic cricket. Rahane highlighted that Roy, who was the Man of the Series in the Mushtaq Ali Trophy, is versatile and can bowl both in the powerplay and in the middle overs.

Support for Varun Chakravarthy’s Confidence

Rahane acknowledged that even experienced players like Sunil Narine may bowl fewer overs if they are struggling. “On that particular day, what is happening in the game, you’ve got to read that situation and decide accordingly,” Rahane added.

He showed strong support for Chakravarthy, who he believes is going through a tough phase. “Varun is a team man. He needs that support from each and every one. Sometimes, bowling just two overs can help a player. Or one over. Or no overs. We want Varun’s confidence throughout the tournament,” Rahane concluded.

KKR’s Struggles and Next Steps

KKR, who have now lost their first two games of IPL 2026, aim to bounce back quickly. The three-time IPL champions suffered a 65-run defeat against SRH, who claimed their first victory of the season. KKR will next face the Punjab Kings on April 6 and the Lucknow Super Giants on April 9, with hopes of a strong comeback.