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A 55-run partnership for the third wicket between Ajinkya Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi, got the Kolkata Knight Riders going but after the former’ wicket, it came crashing down.
Ajinkya Rahane was dismissed off a mistaken decision vs PBKS, which he didn’t review (Picture credit: AP)
Former India cricketer Mohammed Kaif on Tuesday said that it is high time that Ajinkya Rahane, the team man, becomes a bit selfish and takes a DRS decision for himself if required, not just let it pass because other teammates might require it. This is after a mistaken decision led him to present his wicket to the Punjab Kings.
On a good track at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Stadium, Punjab were folded for a paltry 111 runs in the 16th over, thanks to a three-wicket haul from Harshit Rana.
A 55-run partnership for the third wicket between Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi got the Kolkata Knight Riders well past the halfway mark in the chase with over 12 overs to spare.
Then, a googly from Yuzvendra Chahal didn’t turn much as Rahane missed the sweep, and the ball hit the latter on his back leg. Punjab appealed, and the umpire raised his finger.
Rahane wasn’t keen on taking a review as he shook his head and was going back to the dressing room when Raghuvanshi called him, but the duo ultimately decided on not taking a review.
Much to Kolkata’s surprise, the replay showed that the impact was outside off, and hence, had Rahane opted for DRS, he would have survived.
“High time Rahane, the team man, becomes a bit selfish. He should realise he is KKR’s main batsman; he needs to take DRS if there is the slightest of doubts,” Kaif tweeted on Tuesday night.
High time Rahane the team man becomes a bit selfish. He should realise, he is KKR’s main batsman, he needs to take DRS if there is slightest of doubts.#KKRvPBKS— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) April 15, 2025
Chahal struck again in his next over to give Punjab some hope. He had Raghuvanshi caught at backward point by Xavier Bartlett, who leaned forward to take a low catch. Kolkata were 72/4 at the halfway stage.
The game seemed to have opened up when Venkatesh Iyer was ruled out LBW off Glenn Maxwell in the 11th over, with the third umpire upholding the on-field umpire’s decision after a long look.
KKR play their next game against the Gujarat Titans on April 21 at home.
