with Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 The excitement among the fans of the show which is set to start on March 28 has reached its peak. As one of the most famous franchises in the history of the tournament, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Once again in focus. The two-time champions, who last won the trophy in 2014, are aiming to write a new chapter this season after a disappointing campaign in 2025.
Loyal KKR fans will be hoping for a strong comeback, especially after the franchise made notable changes to its team structure. While the team has invested in dynamic all-rounders and power hitters, the question is whether the balance is right to consistently challenge throughout the tournament.
Irfan Pathan points to big concerns for KKR
Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan Has raised a significant concern about the KKR squad, which he believes may have persistent weaknesses in IPL 2026. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Pathan pointed out that the franchise has failed to adequately address its struggles against spin bowling – especially in the middle overs.
According to Pathan, KKR’s troubles started after the departure of key players. Shreyas Iyer And Nitish RanaWho was able to stabilize the innings and handle spin effectively. He emphasized that the current middle order lacks batsmen who can confidently rotate the strike and attack the spinners.
“The real problem for Kolkata, which I think they didn’t address properly in the auction, is: playing spin well. Ever since Shreyas Iyer left, ever since Nitish Rana left, they haven’t bought middle-order players in the auction who can handle spin. That’s really been the biggest issue, and that’s why we saw last year’s results,” “Pathan said.”
He further elaborated Ajinkya RahaneThe role of, given that the experienced player performs well at the top of the order, but his effectiveness reduces when he bats in the middle overs, especially against spin where his strike rate drops significantly. Pathan also evaluated the roles of Rinku Singh And Ramandeep SinghSuggesting that both players are more comfortable against pace rather than spin. This makes a tactical difference, especially on slow pitches where spinners dominate.
“Ajinkya Rahane is very good when batting at the top. But when he comes to the middle, the problem comes to the fore. His strike rate against spin gets quite low, around 100. So can you say Rinku Singh is a good hitter of spin or a good hitter of fast bowling? He is a good hitter of fast bowling. Ramandeep also comes in at the end, ideally against fast bowling. If he can play well against spin, So that would definitely be an advantage. So actually, the issue has to be addressed, I think the spin problem will persist this year as well.” Added Pathan.
Also read: After Harshit Rana, another Indian fast bowler of KKR is out of IPL 2026
Can KKR really strive for a fourth IPL title?
Despite the concerns, KKR is not hopeless. The franchise has taken what many experts describe as a ‘structural reset’ rather than a complete rebuild. By investing in high-impact all-rounders, the team has added flexibility and depth, which could prove vital in high-pressure situations.
KKR have the potential to compete strongly in IPL 2026, but they are currently seen more as playoff contenders rather than favourites. Their success could largely depend on how quickly the middle order adapts to challenging conditions, especially against quality spin attacks.
If the team can find a solution – either through tactical adjustments or unexpected player performances – then they could emerge as serious contenders for a fourth IPL title. However, unless the weakness of spin on the field is addressed, it could once again derail their campaign.
Also read: SWOT analysis of Kolkata Knight Riders: KKR’s report card ahead of IPL 2026
