Ajinkya Rahane leads KKR to third straight win, completes 6,000 T20 runs as opener

Key facts

• KKR beat SRH by chasing 166 in the 45th match of IPL 2026.
• Ajinkya Rahane scored 43 off 36 balls, completing 6,000 runs as an opener in T20s.
• Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine restricted SRH to 165.
• KKR now have 3 wins, 5 defeats, and 1 washout in 9 matches, with 7 points and an NRR of -0.539.
• Rahane opened the innings with Finn Allen and stayed until the 15th over.
• Rahane made his T20I debut as an opener for India against England in 2011, scoring 61 off 39.

Rahane's milestone anchors KKR's revival

Ajinkya Rahane reached a significant personal milestone during Kolkata Knight Riders' third consecutive victory in the Indian Premier League on Sunday, becoming the latest batter to cross 6,000 runs as an opener in Twenty20 cricket. The 36-year-old captain scored 43 off 36 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, anchoring a chase that kept his team's flickering playoff ambitions alive. KKR, who had lost five of their first six matches this season, have now won three on the trot. The victory lifted them to seventh place in the standings with seven points from nine games, though their net run rate remains negative at -0.539. A washout against Punjab Kings earlier in the campaign left them with one fewer opportunity to climb the table.

Spin twins dismantle SRH's batting order

The foundation for KKR's win was laid by their spinners, Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine, who combined to strangle Sunrisers Hyderabad's batting lineup on a humid evening. The duo shared five wickets between them, restricting the home side to 165 after they had threatened to post a more imposing total. Chakravarthy, who had struggled for form earlier in the tournament, drew particular praise from his captain after the match. 'He bowled in tough situations and showed great character to come back,' Rahane said of the spinner's performance. Narine, meanwhile, continued his remarkable all-round season, becoming the first overseas player to achieve a notable milestone in the competition's history.

A controlled chase led from the front

Chasing 166, Rahane opened the innings alongside Finn Allen and adopted a measured approach, rotating the strike and punishing loose deliveries. He remained at the crease until the 15th over, ensuring KKR never lost momentum despite the required rate creeping above eight an over. Angkrish Raghuvanshi provided the finishing touch with an unbeaten knock, as KKR reached the target with relative ease. The victory extended Hyderabad's recent slump, ending their winning run at home and exposing vulnerabilities in their batting depth against quality spin.

Rahane's long journey as a T20 opener

The 6,000-run milestone as an opener in T20s caps a career that began in the same role for India against England in 2011, when Rahane announced himself with 61 off 39 balls on debut. He went on to play 20 T20Is between 2011 and 2016, scoring 375 runs, and was part of India's squads for the 2014 and 2016 T20 World Cups. In the IPL, Rahane has been a constant presence since the tournament's inception. He started with Mumbai Indians from 2008 to 2010 before moving to Rajasthan Royals, where he spent the bulk of his early career. He later represented Rising Pune Supergiant, returned to Rajasthan Royals as captain in 2018 and 2019, and had stints with Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings.

From CSK revival to KKR captaincy

Rahane's IPL journey took a dramatic turn when Chennai Super Kings bought him at the 2023 mini-auction. He responded with 326 runs at a strike rate of 172.48, a performance that earned him a Test recall for India later that year. After another season with CSK, he was acquired by KKR at the 2025 mega-auction and appointed captain, replacing Shreyas Iyer. The decision to hand Rahane the leadership came amid a turbulent period for the franchise. KKR crashed out of IPL 2025 in the league stage, and the current season began with five defeats in six matches before the recent turnaround. Rahane's experience and calm demeanour have been credited with steadying the ship.

Playoff equation remains tight for KKR

Despite the winning streak, KKR's path to the playoffs remains narrow. With three wins and five losses from nine matches, they need to win at least four of their remaining five league games to have a realistic chance of finishing in the top four. Their net run rate, still in negative territory, could prove decisive in a congested mid-table. Rahane's form at the top of the order will be crucial. His ability to anchor innings while allowing more aggressive partners to flourish has been a hallmark of KKR's recent success. The captain's personal milestone, achieved in a winning cause, adds a layer of narrative to a season that seemed lost only a fortnight ago.

The bottom line

• Ajinkya Rahane became the latest batter to reach 6,000 T20 runs as an opener, scoring 43 off 36 in KKR's win.
• KKR's third straight victory lifted them to 7 points from 9 matches, keeping playoff hopes alive.
• Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine's spin bowling restricted SRH to 165, setting up the chase.
• Rahane's IPL career spans 18 seasons across six franchises, including captaincy stints at RR and KKR.
• KKR need to win at least four of their remaining five matches to secure a playoff berth.