IPL 2025: In-form Punjab Kings all set to clash against Kolkata Knight Riders

Kolkata Knight Riders head coach Chandrakant Pandit lavished praise on inform skipper Ajinkya Rahane 36 for shouldering both responsibilities mdash as leader and toporder batsman mdash perfectlyRahane has led the defending champions to three wins in their first six IPL18 matches so far contributing a couple of halfcenturies en route to emerge as the teamrsquos leading scorer with 204 runs at a strike rate of 15454Also ReadDhoni Dube deliver super win over LSGKKR head coach Chandrakant Pandit right Punjab Kings captain Shreyas IyerlsquoMotivated and focussedrsquoldquoAjinkya has always been a motivated player and possesses outstanding cricketing ethics He knows what to do and what not to do and will not get distracted by anything His level of focus is very high and being a captain hersquos leading from the frontrdquo Pandit told midday over the phone from Mullanpur Punjab on the eve of their IPL match against the Shreyas Iyerled Punjab KingsInterestingly Iyer was skipper of the IPLwinning KKR side last season before he got picked to lead Punjab this time Speaking of tonightrsquos battle between the two Mumbai born and bred skippers Pandit reckoned it will be a fight to the finish ldquoBoth Ajinkya and Shreyas play for the same domestic team so they are smart enough in their on way to face this battle Both know each other well I wonrsquot compare them but being Mumbaikars their approach will be similar maintaining that khadoos attitude of never giving up You will see that quality on the field tomorrow TuesdayrdquoMumbai stint earns rewardFormer India wicketkeeper Pandit revealed why Rahane was named KKR captain this season ldquoWhen we saw him leading Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy it was very impressive More than a captain he is a good leader and a perfect role model who likes to take everyone along Hersquos a perfect team man He has spent a lot of time not just with the players but also with the nonplaying members of the team He makes everyone feel equally importantrdquoPandit insisted that Rahane is an allformat cricketer ldquoI feel people underestimate him He can play any format He plays a very important role for KKR batting at No3 He has always shown that the T20 format can be played with good cricketing shots too Hersquos a calculative player who knows when to take on a bowler and when to keep rotating strike He backs his shots and can play the anchorrsquos role well toordquo explained Pandit adding that Rahane who has represented India in 85 Tests 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is can still make a comeback to the national team ldquoDonrsquot just go by his age see his fitness Hersquos one of the fittest guys around while fielding and taking brilliant catches His anticipation and running between the wickets is superb And considering his form why not Ajinkya can surely make it to the Indian teamrdquo Pandit saidatOptionskeyd0ddb8ef8f1a62a8cdd22fac27fc5ea7formatiframeheight90width728params