IPL 2026 | 'Stay positive, keep our heads up, keep our chin up...': KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane after suffering loss vs CSK

Ajinkya Rahane admitted that a lack of momentum with the bat continues to hurt Kolkata Knight Riders even as he praised the bowling unit for keeping the contest alive in their clash against Chennai Super Kings which they lost by 32 runs at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on TuesdayReflecting on the performance Rahane pointed out that KKRrsquos bowlers had done well to recover after a tough start in the PowerplayldquoNo real momentum with the bat Absolutely I thought that with the ball we retreated really good 190 on this wicket was really good especially the powerplay that they got 70odd runs After that pulling back to 190 was an amazing job from our bowling unitrdquo the KKR skipper said after the lossDespite the bowlersrsquo efforts Rahane acknowledged that the batting unit failed to capitalise particularly in the Powerplay where KKR got off to a slow startldquoI thought initially with our batting we just got 36 or 37 runs in the Powerplay I thought that was really important Middle phase to hitting spinners was slightly challenging but apart from that the wicket was really goodrdquo he saidThe KKR skipper emphasised the need for one batter to anchor the innings and take the game deep something that has been missing in recent outings saying ldquoWe needed one batter to bat until deep and then take it in the endrdquoWith the team struggling to string together wins Rahane admitted it has been a challenging phase but stressed the importance of staying mentally strong ldquoI think its tough at the moment Yes were not winning matches its tough What is important for all of us as a group to stay positive keep our heads up keep our chin up just focus on the momentrdquo he mentionedHe also hinted that the team management may revisit combinations in search of the right balance as results continue to elude them stating ldquoYes well have to sit in the dressing room think about the combinations Well have to make any changes Sometimes you bat with the players the results are going your way then its okay But if the results are not going your way then youll have to think about the combinationrdquoRahane however reserved special praise for young pacer Kartik Tyagi highlighting his rapid progress and growing impactldquoI think all credit goes to him I mean hes working really hard in the nets Hes been bowling really good and is a great talent The pace at which hes bowling at the moment has been amazing So Im really happy for him Game by game hes improving his skillsrdquo he saidThe KKR captain also acknowledged the role of spinners from both sides noting that conditions made strokeplay difficult through the middle oversldquoYeah all three spinners I mean if you see from CSK spinners they also bowled really well It was not easy for batters to hit big sixes unless you bowled really full It was easy Otherwise putting it back and then going across wasnt an easy option for the batters So I thought from both sides spinners bowled really well So I thought from both sides spinners bowled really wellrdquo Rahane notedAs KKR look to revive their campaign Rahane reiterated the need for belief and composure within the group expressing ldquoWe just have to as I said keep that head up and just be positive and have that selfbeliefrdquo7No of consecutive matches without a win for KKRThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever