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In the IPL 2026 match against the Mumbai Indians (MI), the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) suffered a loss by six wickets at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
During the match, KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane played a stunning knock of 67 runs off 40 deliveries, which was laced with three boundaries and five maximums.
Speaking about his knock, the right-handed batsman expressed happiness with the kind of cricket he is playing and said that he is not here to prove anything to the naysayers.
“Let people talk about me. They have been talking about me since like what, 20 years now. Let them talk. I am really happy with the way I am batting at the moment. I am not here to show anyone how talented I am and what`s my game. People are watching. Let them watch. Let them talk,” he said.
“But I am really happy, in the last 2-3 years, (in the) white ball formats (with) the way I have improved my game. It`s important to grow as a cricketer, as a batsman, and that`s what I am trying to do. People will keep talking and let them talk,” added Rahane.
He then spoke about the cramps that he suffered during the game.
“I was just cramping. It`s a very bad feeling to sit outside with the cramps and you don`t have any control when the bowlers were bowling, it`s a bad feeling but first I`m really happy the way I batted,” said the skipper.
Following the cramps, he was forced to leave the field, and in his absence, Rinku Singh took over the leadership for the match.
Mumbai Indians` Shardul Thakur was named the “Player of the Match”. Having completed his quota of four overs, he claimed three wickets by conceding 39 runs.
IPL 2026: Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians` upcoming matches
KKR will now lock horns with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on April 2 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. On the other hand, the “Paltan” will travel to Delhi to play the clash against the Delhi Capitals on April 4 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
(With PTI Inputs)
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