Ahmedabad, 18 April (H.S.):

Kolkata Knight Riders’ troubled start to IPL 2026 deepened further on Friday as they slumped to a fifth‑straight loss, falling to Gujarat Titans by five wickets despite posting 180 on a benign surface at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The result leaves the three‑time champions without a win in their first six fixtures, prompting captain Ajinkya Rahane to call for mental resilience, positivity, and a spirit of acceptance in the face of continuing adversity.

“We Have to Embrace Tough Days”

Speaking after the match, Rahane acknowledged the growing weight of consecutive defeats but struck a measured, introspective tone. “As players, you have to embrace even the tough days,” he said. “Keep your head up, strive to give your best every single day, and walk onto the field with positive intent, playing without fear.”

The former India Test opener underlined that negativity is easy to slip into when results keep slipping away. “When you keep losing, it becomes easy to think negatively,” he admitted. “But I am proud of this group. We need to focus on one match at a time, keep improving, and back ourselves to turn the tide.”

Missed Batting Intent and a Saving Hand

Rahane explained that KKR had opted to bat first with the intention of posting a big total, envisaging 200 on the board as a challenging but attainable target on a flat Ahmedabad wicket. However, the innings stuttered in the middle overs, and the team managed only 180 for 8—a score that ultimately proved insufficient against a composed Titans chase.

Amid the disappointments, Rahane reserved particular praise for Cameron Green, whose hard‑fought, anchoring knock carried the team past the 180‑run mark. “Cameron played a brilliant innings,” Rahane said. “You can lose wickets, but getting to 180 on that wicket had a lot to do with his contribution.”

Powerplay Gaps and Young Bowlers Under Fire

On the bowling front, Rahane candidly flagged the team’s recurring weakness in the powerplay, admitting that the pace battery in the opening six overs is still relatively inexperienced. “The truth is, our powerplay bowlers are not very experienced,” he conceded. “But they are trying their best, they are trying to take wickets, even if success has not come yet.”

He defended pacers such as Anukul Roy, Kartik Tyagi, and Vaibhav Arora, saying they remained committed and hard‑working despite the pressure of being on the field in high‑scoring conditions.

Injuries and Upcoming Clash

Rahane also revealed that Green could not bowl due to cramp issues, further underlining the physical and tactical constraints KKR are facing. With the team lying at the bottom of the IPL 2026 table and still without a victory, the pressure continues to mount—both on the players and on the captain’s leadership style.

Now, KKR have little room for reflection. Within 48 hours, they must return to their home ground in Kolkata to face Rajasthan Royals, offering Rahane’s side an immediate chance to halt the losing streak and begin rebuilding belief.

Whether they respond with a renewed sense of purpose or sink deeper into self‑doubt will depend on how fully the team internalises the captain’s message: that enduring tough days with composure and positivity is the only way back to winning ways.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar