After a disappointing campaign in IPL 2025, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) find themselves at a crucial crossroads ahead of the IPL 2026 Auction. A season that ended with just five wins and an eighth-place finish on the table has prompted serious introspection within the team management and significant changes may be on the horizon.

One of the most pressing concerns for the franchise is the leadership setup. Veteran Ajinkya Rahane, who took over the captaincy last season, failed to make a significant impact both tactically and in terms of results. While Rahane’s batting numbers – 390 runs from 13 innings at an average of 35 and a strike rate of 147 – were respectable, the team’s overall performance under his leadership left much to be desired.

Rinku Singh Emerging as a Captaincy Contend

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