Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra believes picking the right batting order would be one of the biggest challenges for the Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2026. Chopra highlighted that KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane’s numbers against spin are worrying signs.
While Rahane is known to do a good job in the Powerplay overs, his strike rate considerably dips against spinners after the field restrictions are lifted.
Meanwhile, Rahane was KKR’s highest run-getter in IPL 2025, scoring 390 runs in 12 innings at a strike rate of 147.72.
“How will you set the batting order? Whom will you play and whom will you make sit out? I feel Finn Allen is a sure-shot starter, but who with him? You will have to play Ajinkya Rahane. He is your captain. He is outstanding in the powerplay, but his numbers are extremely cold against spin. So that’s a reason for you to make him open,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
Chopra said Sunil Narine will not be useful with the bat if he is demoted down the order by KKR’s think tank.
“If you make him open with Finn Allen, then Sunil Narine’s role as a batter would end. Then he plays as a bowler primarily. There is no other role left for him. You used to make him open generally, but you will not be able to use that option now. You will have to bring Cameron Green at No. 3,” he observed.
The renowned commentator said KKR’s pace bowling will be the biggest challenge for the franchise in the upcoming season. KKR’s fast bowling stock has been hit hard by injury woes.
“The biggest challenge is pace bowling. They have no idea who would bowl at the start and the death, and it is not a problem of their own making. They had Matheesha Pathirana, Mustafizur Rahman and Harshit Rana, who could have bowled at the death. Death was covered and how,” he said.
“They might have had the best death bowling, and now it’s probably become the weakest death bowling, because till the time players aren’t available, who will bowl there? Blessing Muzarabani is also a new-ball bowler. I don’t think he would succeed towards the death overs,” Chopra observed.
Kolkata Knight Riders will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on 29th March.
