A feisty Ajinkya Rahane defended his toss call from the Punjab Kings game during Kolkata Knight Riders’ match against Lucknow Super Giants on Thursday, April 9. Asked if his decision to bat first in a rain-hit Eden Gardens clash against Punjab was the right call, Rahane snapped back at broadcaster Pommie Mbangwa, saying the match had not finished and that they would never know if the call was right or wrong.

The Kolkata Knight Riders captain has been under scrutiny for his defensive positions in front of the camera. Usually calm and composed, Rahane has, this season, repeatedly defended his strike rate, his batting approach, and the contentious toss call he made against Punjab.

When common sense dictates bowling first in rain-affected games – given that the DLS method often favours the chasing side – Rahane chose to bat first against Punjab in their previous home game.

The decision quickly backfired, with KKR losing two wickets for just 25 runs in 3.4 overs before the match was eventually called off.

Rahane did not have to make that decision this time, as Rishabh Pant’s LSG won the toss and opted to bowl first. Mbangwa, however, was keen to know what Rahane would have done had he won the toss.

The exchange that followed once again put Rahane in the spotlight.

“We wanted to bowl,” Rahane said at the toss after LSG sent KKR in to bat.

What followed next was another reflection of Rahane’s slightly more feisty demeanour this season.

• Mbangwa: I’m thinking back to the previous game actually, that’s why I asked that
• Rahane: That match didn’t get over, so you never know.

Rahane then went on to explain the team changes and provided an update on Cameron Green, who is yet to bowl for KKR this season. As per Cricket Australia, Green is carrying an injury, which has prevented him from being cleared to bowl so far.

However, Green was seen bowling in the KKR nets ahead of the match, indicating that he could gradually increase his workload in the coming games.

“Just one change – Sunil comes in place of Blessing, Varun is still recovering from his hand injury. When he (Green) is allowed to bowl, we will probably see him. The combination gets better, so Rovman Powell plays. When Cam Green bowls, then we have that extra bowler with us.

We just want to, as a batting unit, watch the ball and react, rather than putting pressure on ourselves by trying to focus on a certain target and then achieve that. I think just being in the moment, trying to react and watch the ball,” Rahane said at the toss.

With questions around his decisions continuing to follow him, Rahane’s sharp response only adds to the growing spotlight on his leadership this season. As good results continue to elude KKR, how he balances instinct with scrutiny could well define the team’s campaign going forward.

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