IPL: Ajinkya Rahane takes aim at 'jealous' critics about his strike-rate

Rahane only scored 8 from 10 balls and put his team on back foot while chasing a sizeable target of 227, the Knight Riders eventually bowled out for just 161.

The 37-year-old countered the argument that he is a hindrance to his team at the top of the order by stating that he has the strike-rate in the tournament since 2023.

Upon a closer look at the stats, since IPL 2023, only Abhishek (176.56) has a better strike rate than Rahane (167.78) in the powerplay among Indians (with a cut-off of 250 balls faced).

"My strike rate... I have the best strike rate so far, from 2023. People who are talking are probably not watching the game or have a certain agenda against me," Rahane said.

"They don't like me playing. They don't like to watch me play. The amount of success I've got, I guess they're jealous about that.

"I'm not too worried, yaar. My intent was there. Sometimes as a batter you don't get the rhythm or the flow. People who are talking either don't understand the game or they want me to play a different kind of innings.

"They didn't expect that Ajinkya Rahane would improve his game this much. I am happy they are talking about me - negative or positive. Let them talk. But partnering Finn Allen, it has been very good.

"The first six overs you need to look to play fearless cricket with freedom. At times you will struggle, that's okay, it's important to accept.

"But I know what I'm doing, I know what I've done in the past, and I back myself instead of thinking about what others are saying. Whoever are talking about it, let them talk."

The Knight Riders have suffered two defeats to start the 2026 IPL and will hope to get their first victory when they host Punjab Kings at Eden Gardens on Monday.