Ravichandran Ashwin Critiques KKR's Batting Decision Against PBKS in Rain-Affected IPL Match

Original: IPL 2026: R Ashwin Questions KKR's Decision To Bat First Vs PBKS

Ndtv•Apr 6, 20262 min

In a Nutshell

Ravichandran Ashwin expressed confusion over Kolkata Knight Riders' decision to bat first against Punjab Kings in their IPL match on April 6, 2026, given the rain threat. KKR struggled early, losing two wickets before rain halted play after just 3.4 overs.

Key Points

01Ravichandran Ashwin questioned KKR's decision to bat first amid rain threats.
02Kolkata Knight Riders lost two wickets early in their innings.
03Ajinkya Rahane's team is struggling this season with two losses in two matches.
04KKR's bowling attack was weakened by the absence of key spinners Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy.
05The match was interrupted by rain after just 3.4 overs.

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Full Summary

In a surprising move, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) chose to bat first against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in their IPL match on April 6, 2026, despite predictions of rain in Kolkata. Ravichandran Ashwin criticized this decision, highlighting the risks of batting on a potentially damp pitch with an inexperienced bowling attack. KKR's captain Ajinkya Rahane faced further challenges as two of their key spinners, Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy, were unavailable due to illness and injury, respectively. This left KKR vulnerable, and they quickly lost two wickets, ending their innings at 25/2 before rain halted play after just 3.4 overs. The match conditions were complicated by the forecast of kalboishakhi storms, which posed a threat to the game’s progression.

Key Figures

25

Total runs scored by KKR before rain interruption

2

Wickets lost by KKR before rain halted play

3.4

Overs completed before rain stopped the match

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Why It Matters

The rain interruption could affect KKR's chances of winning, especially given their current struggles this season.

Who is affected

KKR players and fans, as well as spectators at Eden Gardens.

What to know

Fans should stay updated on match rescheduling and potential outcomes based on the rain delay.

FAQ

KKR's captain Ajinkya Rahane made the decision, but it was criticized by Ravichandran Ashwin due to the rain threat and the team's inexperienced bowling attack.

The match was halted after 3.4 overs with KKR scoring 25 runs for the loss of 2 wickets.

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