Irfan Pathan Critiques Ajinkya Rahane's Captaincy Decisions in IPL
Pathan's Take on Rahane's Captaincy
Irfan Pathan, a former Indian cricketer, has expressed his disappointment with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Ajinkya Rahane for his decision to bowl Varun Chakravarthy during the power-play against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) match held in Kolkata. Chakravarthy struggled, conceding 25 runs in just one over and ultimately bowled only 12 deliveries, giving away a total of 31 runs with only one dot ball.
Pathan's Insights on Leadership
Pathan highlighted the significant impact a captain has on a bowler's confidence, stating that effective leadership involves backing bowlers when they are in form. He criticized Rahane for his choice to use Chakravarthy in a challenging situation, saying, "As a captain, you are placing him in a difficult position. While Rahane performed well later in the match, his initial decision to bowl Chakravarthy in the power-play was a mistake." He further elaborated, "A captain's role is crucial in uplifting a bowler's confidence. If a captain fails to support a bowler at a moment when they feel capable and have momentum, it reflects poor leadership. This is why Chakravarthy should not have bowled during the power-play; you risk losing a bowler who could be pivotal to your success."
Chakravarthy's Recent Struggles
In KKR's opening match of IPL 2026 against the Mumbai Indians, Chakravarthy also had a tough outing, conceding 15 runs in his fifth over and finishing with figures of none for 48 from four overs. Over his last six matches, including the World Cup and the game against MI, he has given away 273 runs in 23 overs, resulting in an alarming economy rate of 11.86, the highest for any bowler over a six-match span in men's T20 cricket.
KKR's Challenging Start to the Season
KKR has now suffered defeats in their first two matches, marking only the second time in the franchise's history that they have started a season this poorly. They faced a significant 65-run loss to SRH on Thursday. The three-time IPL champions are looking to recover quickly, with upcoming matches against Punjab Kings on April 6 and Lucknow Super Giants on April 9.