With no points after two matches and a dangerously dipping net run-rate, questions have begun to swirl around KKR’s early campaign in IPL 2026. One in particular has irked Ajinkya Rahane, and the skipper didn’t mince words at the post-match press conference on Thursday.

“I think 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 got. They are jealous of me,” Rahane, 37, retorted after KKR’s 65-run defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad here, when his attention was drawn to the continued criticism of his strike-rate as an opener. He  added that his strike-rate has been among the best in the last few years.
 
“People who are talking… [probably] didn’t expect Ajinkya Rahane to improve his game this much. I back myself rather than think about whoever is talking about me.”