Ajinkya Rahane’s captaincy is coming under severe criticism after Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) suffered two consecutive defeats. Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026). Many believe that KKR have made a big mistake by retaining Ajinkya Rahane as captain for this season after the disaster of 2025.
And now, after the three-time champions’ 65-run defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad in their second game and that too at their home ground – Eden Gardens in Kolkata – Dressing has already started publicly expressing his displeasure over Rahane’s captaincy.
Vaibhav Arora’s Instagram ‘like’ created big controversy, Ajinkya Rahane criticized after KKR’s second consecutive defeat
A small tap has created a big storm on Instagram Kolkata Knight Riders Amidst the ongoing IPL 2026. In fact, KKR fast bowler Vaibhav Arora has liked a reel by RevSports journalist Rohit Juglan, where he boldly said that Rahane should give up the captaincy and even drop himself from the playing eleven, as Gautam Gambhir did in 2018.
Also read: Shreyas Iyer is in danger of being banned in IPL 2026!
This led many to wonder whether the KKR camp was also thinking the same thing. In 2018, Gambhir had shown courage and removed himself from the captaincy and even dropped him from the playing eleven. Then, Delhi Capitals (then Delhi Daredevils) brought in Shreyas Iyer and he performed much better.
Will Rahane follow the footsteps of Ricky Ponting and Gautam Gambhir?
also mythological ricky ponting Rohit Sharma left the captaincy in 2013, he had led Mumbai Indians to the title in that season. However, many were already unsure about KKR’s bet and now Vaibhav Arora has added fuel to the fire by agreeing to the viral discussion.
Interestingly, Kolkata Knight Riders won the IPL trophy in 2024 and they did not make much changes in that team, yet they are struggling badly from the last season. Talking about this season, both Rahane’s batting and captaincy are hurting the team and then Varun Chakraborty’s struggle is making the situation worse for them.
‘Temporary option Ajinkya Rahane is the main issue’
Not only this, KKR’s batsmen are taking a lot of time to settle down and their bowling attack is already inexperienced. But the most important thing is that Rahane was never the first choice captain of KKR and not even the second choice. That was a temporary option and now this gamble is failing.
Also read: Hardik Pandya leaves Mumbai Indians to increase bowling workload…
The journalist said that the entire team was suffering because of Rahane and felt that Rinku Singh could be the next captain of KKR, while Arora agreed to this while refusing the idea of a complete reset. This sparked a huge debate on whether everything was fine in the KKR dressing room.
Vaibhav Arora has liked the reel of Rohit Juglan in which he is saying that “Rahane should leave the captaincy”. pic.twitter.com/RITmz7nCYG
– KKR Caravan (@KkrKaravan) 3 April 2026
Bru Vaibhav Arora liked a reel in which Juglan is saying that Ajinkya Rahane should remove himself from the main XI like Gambhir did in 2018. pic.twitter.com/n3B8SgyYx0
– (@Flicks_it) 3 April 2026
They have an agenda against me: Rahane on heavy criticism
During this time, Ajinkya Rahane Has finally reacted to the heavy criticism for his slow batting in IPL 2026. His strike rate of 80 has become a major talking point but the KKR skipper feels that the attacks on him are an agenda and people are judging him without looking at the entire situation.
Rahane said in the post-match press conference in Kolkata, “I think the people who are talking about me are not watching the game or, [maybe]They have an agenda against me. They don’t like the amount of success I’ve had. They are jealous of me. The people who are talking… [probably] It was not expected that Ajinkya Rahane would improve his game so much. I support myself instead of thinking about whoever is talking about me.”
