Out-of-favour India batter Ajinkya Rahane is all set to captain the Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2026. The 37-year-old right-handed batter from Mumbai, who succeeded Shreyas Iyer as KKR captain in the IPL last
year, is all set to retain his job. According to a report in Mumbai Mirror on Sunday, March 15, the Kolkata-based franchise, which is owned by Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, has decided that Rahane will continue as captain in 2026 as well due to his experience.
“Rahane is the best choice for captaincy considering his vast experience and the mix of players at KKR. The franchise has decided that he will continue as captain this season as well,” a source was quoted as saying by the publication.
KKR played 13 matches in IPL 2025 under Rahane’s leadership but could only manage to win five. He, however, impressed with his batting in the world’s richest franchise cricket league last year and topped the list of batters with the most runs for the franchise.
In IPL 2025, Rahane played as a No. 3 batter for KKR, and he is expected to bat at the same position this year as well. It will, however, be interesting to see who plays as an opener for KKR in IPL 2026.
The three-time champions signed the New Zealand trio of Finn Allen, Tim Seifert and Rachin Ravindra in the IPL 2026 auction along with Cameron Green of Australia, and all four of them bat in the top order. In addition to them, KKR also have Sunil Narine in their squad, and the former West Indies spinner has impressed with his batting performances in the IPL as opener.
Harshit Rana out of IPL 2026
Star Indian fast bowler Harshit Rana, who was retained for Rs 4 crore by KKR ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, will miss the 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League. The Delhi-based fast bowler suffered an injury while playing for India in the T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up match against South Africa in Navi Mumbai on February 4, and due to that, he will miss the upcoming season of the cash-rich league.
Blessing replaces Mustafizur
KKR have signed Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani as a replacement for Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman. KKR signed Rahman for Rs 9.20 crore in the IPL 2026 auction but later replaced him after the BCCI asked them to do so.
