'Bit of a shocker': Rahane slammed for 'batting first' in rain-hit clash

NEW DELHI: Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Ajinkya Rahane faced dense disapproval connected Monday aft opting to bat archetypal successful a rain-threatened clash against Punjab Kings astatine Eden Gardens. In matches with rainfall forecasts, captains usually similar to tract archetypal to person clarity connected the people successful a shortened game.

However, Rahane’s determination did not spell down good with many, including legendary Anil Kumble and erstwhile India cricketers Ravichandran Ashwin and Saba Karim.According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the rainfall was triggered by a low-pressure trough stretching from Bihar to Manipur, passing implicit North Bengal, Assam and Bangladesh, starring to moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal.“Thunderstorms with lightning and rainfall whitethorn hap successful astir districts of South Bengal.

From Sunday to Thursday, scattered rainfall is apt crossed the state, with higher strength connected Tuesday and Wednesday,” the IMD said.Despite these conditions, Rahane’s determination to bat archetypal drew disapproval from erstwhile cricketers.“I americium amazed that Rahane won the flip and chose to bat first. On a transportation similar this, wherever there's immoderate rainfall around, ideally, you would privation to tract first,” Kumble said connected the JioHotstar broadcast during the rainfall break.

Ashwin took to societal media and posted a sarcastic remark."When you cognize it’s going to beryllium a rainfall affected game, with an inexperienced bowling onslaught astatine your disposal, you take to bat first. Interesting thought process. #ipl2026," Ashwin wrote.

“I cannot recognize this call. I cannot wrapper my caput astir it,” Saba said.Former Bengal batter Shreevats Goswami wrote: "Very amazed to spot Rahane winning the flip & electing to bat archetypal connected a overcast condition.

Bit of a shocker there. Immediately you tin spot plaything and 2 caught behinds. Very precise brave call. #kkr," helium said.

Rain past interrupted Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL lucifer against Punjab Kings, with the location broadside struggling astatine 25 for 2 successful 3.4 overs amid dependable drizzle that aboriginal intensified into a thunderstorm.Opting to bat, KKR - inactive searching for their archetypal triumph of the play - were jolted aboriginal arsenic Xavier Bartlett struck doubly successful the span of 3 balls.Showing fantabulous power implicit plaything and seam, the Australian pacer dismissed KKR’s 2 cardinal overseas batters Finn Allen (6) and Cameron Green (4), who had been promoted to No. 3.Green, the highest-paid overseas subordinate astatine Rs 25.20 crore, endured different mediocre outing, having earlier scored 18 against Mumbai Indians and 2 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, arsenic KKR’s struggles continued pursuing 2 opening losses.Skipper Rahane (8) and young wicketkeeper-batter Angkrish Raghuvanshi (7), who has been KKR’s astir accordant performer this play with back-to-back fifties, were attempting to rebuild erstwhile persistent drizzle forced the umpires to halt play astatine 7:45 pm.With Eden Gardens equipped with afloat crushed covers, the groundstaff moved swiftly to screen the full field.