The Ajinkya Rahane-led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) crashed out of IPL 2026 after suffering a crushing 40-run defeat against Delhi Capitals in their must-win clash at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on May 24. The loss officially ended KKR’s playoff hopes after a season full of ups and downs.
Kolkata Knight Riders finished seventh on the IPL 2026 points table with 13 points from 14 matches. Even though they showed strong fight and made a good comeback in the second half of the tournament, their poor start earlier in the season ultimately cost them a playoff place.
After the heartbreaking exit, Ajinkya Rahane has opened up about the positives from the 2026 season and hailed the two youngsters Kartik Tyagi and Anukul Roy, who impressed him the most.
Rahane believes both players grabbed their opportunities brilliantly and they can become very important part of the KKR team in the future. Kartik especially had a breakthrough season with the ball.
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The young fast bowler finished IPL 2026 with 18 wickets and ended up as one of the top-performing Indian bowlers during the league stage.
Rahane reveals why KKR trusted Kartik Tyagi
His pace, aggression, and confidence impressed the KKR management throughout the tournament. Rahane revealed that Tyagi looked mentally ready right from the practice matches before the season started and understood exactly what the team expected from him.
Ajinkya Rahane said at the post-match press conference in Kolkata: “Talking about Kartik Tyagi, he was clear. We played practice games—two, three practice matches—[and] practice sessions as well. He was really clear about his thought process. You will go for runs as a bowler, but as long as you're clear about what you want to do for your team, that's what matters.”
Anukul Roy was also another surprise success story for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2026. The left-arm spinner picked up nine wickets in 12 matches and also contributed with the bat, scoring 89 runs in 7 innings during this season.
Rahane revealed that the KKR team management had already decided before the season that Anukul deserved a long run in the playing XI because of his excellent performances in domestic cricket.
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KKR further said in praise of Roy, “When we sat down [at the start of the season], I thought, This is a great time for Anukul to come in and play each and every game. He had a fantastic Syed Mushtaq Ali season. I believe that whoever has a good season in the domestic league, you carry that confidence forward. Anukul Roy just did that.”
Ajinkya Rahane predicts bright future for Anukul Roy and Kartik Tyagi
Rahane believes that this season could just be the beginning for both Tyagi and Roy. The KKR captain said that both youngsters have the talent and mindset to play for India in the future.
He signed off by saying, “For these two guys, this is just the beginning. I'm sure they have the potential to do really well in the future and go and play at the highest level as well.”
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