Ravichandran Ashwin praised KKR and Rajasthan Royals’ auction strategy but questioned if Ajinkya Rahane would remain KKR captain.
Ravichandran Ashwin has questioned whether Ajinkya Rahane will continue as Kolkata Knight Riders captain following the IPL 2026 mini-auction. The former India spinner praised KKR’s new squad but highlighted last season’s poor results under Rahane.
KKR finished eighth in IPL 2025, winning only five of 14 matches. They entered Tuesday’s auction with the largest purse of ₹64.3 crore. The franchise signed all-rounder Cameron Green, bowler Matheesha Pathirana, and Indian players Akash Deep and Rahul Tripathi among big names.
Ashwin Questions Ajinkya Rahane’s Spot As KKR Captain
Ashwin lauded the terrific buying by KKR and put Ajinkya Rahane on the spot questioning his captaincy role in the team given so much strong options in the squad.
“KKR have a terrific side, I don’t know whether Ajinkya will lead. But, if he leads that side with composure, that is one side to reckon with. Another team is the Rajasthan Royals, after doing such big trades, you come into the auction and bag Ravi Bishnoi for 7 crore. RR cooked in the auction, they are in an amazing position now,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
The off-spinner analyzed KKR’s potential batting order and key challenge. “KKR did not run after Venkatesh Iyer, so I think that Cameron Green will open the batting, while Rahane might either open or bat at No.3. The biggest challenge for KKR is how they can bring Pathirana back to his best. If they can manage to squeeze in Pathirana’s overs with the mystery spinners, how will opponents score? KKR are one hell of a team,” Ashwin opined.
This article follows WicketWatcher’s editorial standards. Learn more in our Editorial Policy or report an issue via our Corrections Policy.