Anil Kumble and R Ashwin lambast Ajinkya Rahane after shocking toss call in KKR vs PBKS IPL match

A number of cricket pundits discover it exhausting to gallop the truth that the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Ajinkya Rahane opted to bat first on the Eden Gardens regardless of realizing the climate circumstances.

Forward of the Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings (KKR vs PBKS), IPL 2026 match quantity 12, there have been predictions for heavy rain and thunderstorms within the metropolis. Historically, beneath heavy climate, groups largely selected to bowl first due to the uncertainty.

Anil Kumble, R Ashwin, and Saba Karim had been baffled by Rahane’s name

Taking a very completely different route, Rahane known as to bat first. Cricket specialists like Anil Kumble, Saba Karim, and Ravichandran Ashwin had been baffled by Ajinkya Rahane’s choice. Proving the climate prediction correct, rain and thunderstorms lashed town of pleasure and paused the sport in the course of the 4th over of the primary innings. By the point KKR misplaced two wickets within the type of Finn Allen and Cameron Inexperienced.

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Throughout the rain break, former India spinner, now a cricket knowledgeable, Anil Kumble stated on the JioHotstar broadcast, “I’m shocked that Rahane received the toss and selected to bat first. On a pitch like this, the place there’s some rain round, ideally, you’d need to area first.”

Saba Karim additionally expressed the identical. “I can not perceive this name. I can not wrap my head round it,” Karim talked about.

On the opposite aspect, former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was additionally shocked to see KKR go to bat first after profitable the toss. Ahswin identified that beneath such climate circumstances and with an inexperienced bowling mixture, KKR’s choice to bat first took him abruptly.

“When you recognize it’s going to be a rain-affected recreation, with an inexperienced bowling assault at your disposal, you select to bat first. Attention-grabbing thought course of,” Ashwin wrote in his ‘X’ publish.

When you recognize it’s going to be a rain affected recreation, with an inexperienced bowling assault at your disposal, you select to bat first.

Attention-grabbing thought course of. #ipl2026 pic.twitter.com/uPWQB7Odfr

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) April 6, 2026

Historically, the pitch of the Eden Gardens presents additional bounce to the seam bowlers within the early overs of the match. Underneath a layer of heavy clouds, the state of affairs turned extra ideally suited for the bowlers.

KKR with out Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy

In the meantime, the Kolkata-based workforce introduced their taking part in eleven for the match, with out their key spinners, Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy. On the toss, Ajinkya Rahane knowledgeable that Varun missed the match due to the harm he acquired within the earlier match whereas fielding, they usually omitted Narine from the eleven due to well being considerations.

Two modifications, compelled. Varun Chakravarthy received injured taking the catch within the final recreation, and Narine is sick. Powell and Saini are in,“ Rahane knowledgeable,” Ajinkya Rahane knowledgeable.

Ajinkya Rahane defined why he elected to bat first

In line with Cricbuzz, the Kolkata Knight Riders are taking part in their first match since 2020 with out both Sunil Narine or Varun Chakravarthy within the taking part in eleven. Rahane additional defined why he selected to bat first. In line with him, the pitch seemed on the drier aspect, however seemed general good.

“We’re going to bat first. Appears like a very good wicket, somewhat bit on the drier aspect, nevertheless it’s an excellent wicket and barely much less protecting of grass as properly. That’s the explanation to place the runs on the board first,” Ajinkya Rahane defined.

Learn Extra: KKR vs PBKS Influence Gamers Right now: Toss Report, Enjoying XIs, Newest Updates IPL 2026 Match 12