Irfan Pathan Highlights Rinku Singh's Struggles Ahead of IPL 2026

As the Kolkata Knight Riders gear up for the IPL 2026 season, former cricketer Irfan Pathan has raised concerns about Rinku Singh's declining form and the need to boost Varun Chakravarthy's confidence. Rinku's struggles following a stellar 2023 season and his lackluster performance in the T20 World Cup have put him under scrutiny. Meanwhile, Pathan believes that with the right support, Chakravarthy can regain his form and excel in the upcoming matches. This article delves into the challenges KKR faces as they prepare for their opening match against the Mumbai Indians.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 21, 2026, 16:17 IST

Rinku Singh's Form Raises Concerns for KKR

Irfan Pathan, a former Indian cricketer, has pointed out that Rinku Singh's recent performance is a significant issue for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as they prepare for the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Pathan noted that Rinku's form has declined following his impressive 2023 season.

KKR is set to kick off their season against the Mumbai Indians (MI), who have won the championship five times, on March 29 in Mumbai. Rinku's performance is particularly worrisome, especially after a disappointing T20 World Cup where he managed only 24 runs across five innings. His IPL performances have also dropped since his breakout year in 2023, where he gained fame for hitting five consecutive sixes against Yash Dayal during a high-stakes match against the Gujarat Titans (GT).

In a discussion on his YouTube channel, Pathan elaborated on Rinku's struggles post-2023 season and his inability to seize opportunities during the recent T20 World Cup. He stated, "We need to monitor how many chances he receives. His 2023 season was remarkable, with 400-450 runs at a strike rate of 150. However, his performance has since declined, and he hasn't always had enough opportunities. He must uphold his standards and make the most of the chances he gets. In the World Cup, despite playing five matches, he couldn't capitalize on his opportunities. This is a concern that KKR needs to address, and Rinku Singh is a key part of that."

During the 2023 season, Rinku amassed 474 runs in 14 innings, averaging 59.25 with a strike rate of 149.52, including four half-centuries. In contrast, he has only scored 374 runs in 22 innings since then, averaging 23.37, with a top score of 38*.

Boosting Varun Chakravarthy's Confidence

Pathan also discussed the importance of restoring confidence in spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who experienced a downturn in form during the T20 World Cup. He started the tournament strong, taking nine wickets in four group matches with an economy rate just above 5. However, his performance significantly declined, managing only five wickets in five matches from the Super Eight stage to the final, with his economy rate doubling.

The all-rounder expressed optimism about Varun's ability to bounce back, stating, "The challenge lies in how to restore Varun's confidence given his recent struggles. He will participate in 14 matches, some at Kolkata's venue, where he has previously excelled. With positive memories from Kolkata, he might perform even better in a different atmosphere. I believe he can overcome this challenge and improve his performance."

Last season, Varun was the seventh-highest wicket-taker, claiming 17 wickets at an average of 22.52 and an economy rate of 7.66, with his best figures being 3/22. Over 83 matches for KKR, he has taken 99 wickets at an average of 23.74, including two four-wicket hauls and a best performance of 5/20.