Tata Indian Premier League (IPL), 2026, match number 28 was between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Rajasthan Royals. Chasing the target of 156 runs, KKR had the worst start as they lost opener Tim Seifert on the very first ball and KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane was also out for a duck in the next over.
Ajinkya Rahane will be feeling troubled as this was his second consecutive duck in IPL 2026, as in the last match also he was out for duck on the first ball and in today’s game he was out for duck on the second ball. Rahane, who is already under pressure for his poor tactics and captaincy, has made KKR lose 6 games so far this season.
Ajinkya Rahane’s struggle continues
Ajinkya Rahane has been criticized for his poor decision making, and people also noticed that his strike rate had slowed down when playing against spinners and slower balls. But today, he was out square-cutting a loose ball from Nandre Berger.
After the KKR captain was out for the second duck, he became the opening batsman with the most number of ducks in the IPL. Opening the tournament, Rahane now has 12 zeroes to his name. The KKR captain may have to step down as the fans, management and some players are also not very happy with him, and if the Knights lose this match, there will be some serious issues.
KKR faltered again
KKR are in deep trouble with three wickets falling inside the powerplay as Cameron Green, who was looking good, was out in the most unfortunate manner, with a brilliant stumping by Dhruv Jurel dismissing the Australian batsman. He was out on the score of 27 runs.
The Knights are on the verge of setting an unwanted record; If they lose this match, it will be the first time that a team will lose its first seven consecutive matches in the history of IPL. With the Knights’ score at 52/3, Rovman Powell and Angkrish Raghuvanshi are at the crease.
Rajasthan Royals’ openers gave them a good start; However, the night spin duo of Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy pulled the game together, taking five wickets between them and restricting the Royals to 155/9.
Fans react after Rahane gets out for a duck on the second ball
#kkr fans are not fans #Rahane Good that you have posted the statistics, at least now the management @KKRiders This scammer will realize
– Rambo Reddy (@dheeraj75101042) 19 April 2026
This boy is 1000 times better than Ajinkya Rahane in every aspect. pic.twitter.com/tAxeNG1iRs
-Etcetera. (@Hurricanerana_27) 19 April 2026
Ajinkya Rahane’s work as a batsman and captain is over, hopefully this match will not be the last match of KKR.#KKRvsRR #RRvsKKR #IPL2026 pic.twitter.com/i3NaPmGYF4
– Vinod Kumar (@we_knowd) 19 April 2026
Most number of times out on zero as an opener in IPL
12 – Ajinkya Rahane*
11- Parthiv Patel
10- Shikhar Dhawan
10- Gautam Gambhir
9 – David Warner@jinkyarahane88 Congratulations #kkrvsrr– Imran Khan (@ImranKhan862) 19 April 2026
Interviewer: You scored zero goals twice in a row?
Rahane: My strike rate is one of the best since 2023 pic.twitter.com/NpLwP14YNj
– Cricketwood (@thecricketwood) 19 April 2026
Lose as long as there are stories, as long as you have to.
– Sonu (@sonuknight69) 19 April 2026
That’s why Rahane deserves hatred, he did not bowl to Anukul Roy and gave it to Ramandeep.
– Walking Phoenix (@NIGHTMA54912410) 19 April 2026
Along with Rahane MC, remove this undernourished Raghuvanshi from the team.
– Time Pass (@KnightRiders_01) 19 April 2026
Also read: Jofra Archer dismissed Tim Seifert on the first ball in the KKR vs RR match.