Bengaluru: Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has called on Ajinkya Rahane to take inspiration from Virat Kohli’s transformation against spin bowling, as the Indian Premier League 2026 season approaches.
Kaif highlighted how Kohli overcame criticism around his strike rate against spinners by expanding his strokeplay and adopting a more aggressive approach — a template he believes Rahane must follow to stay relevant in modern T20 cricket.
Kohli’s evolution a benchmark
Kohli, a mainstay of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, had faced scrutiny in recent years over his ability to maintain a high strike rate against spin. However, he responded emphatically by improving his range of shots and attacking spinners more consistently.
Kaif pointed out that Kohli’s transformation did not come overnight but was the result of conscious changes in intent and execution.
“Virat Kohli was in a similar situation. His strike rate was going down against spinners. He shut everyone’s mouth by attacking the spinners and inventing new shots,” Kaif said.
He emphasised that such adaptability is essential in today’s fast-evolving T20 format, where batters are expected to maintain both consistency and aggression.
Rahane’s struggle to convert starts
Rahane, who leads Kolkata Knight Riders, showed glimpses of form in the previous season but struggled to convert his starts into impactful innings.
According to Kaif, this inability to push beyond scores of 30s and 40s remains a major concern, particularly against spin-heavy bowling attacks.
“Rahane got the team off to good starts last season. If you look at the entire campaign, he scored around 30–40 in almost every match, but he did not have a single Man of the Match award,” Kaif noted.
He further added that Rahane’s current approach against spin lacks variety, making him predictable once spinners are introduced into the attack.
Need for expanded shot range
Kaif stressed that Rahane must broaden his scoring options against spin if he is to regain his effectiveness in T20 cricket.
“Rahane just has the slog sweep against spinners. He needs to work on his power-hitting down the ground. He has to increase his range of shots against spinners, as Virat Kohli has done,” Kaif explained.
In contrast, Kohli’s improved approach includes calculated aggression, better use of the crease, and the ability to find gaps consistently — attributes that have allowed him to maintain both strike rate and consistency.
Questions over leadership and future plans
Kaif also raised questions regarding Rahane’s appointment as captain of KKR, suggesting that the decision may have been made late in the auction process.
He hinted that the franchise could have initially been looking at a younger, long-term leadership option before settling on Rahane’s experience.
Despite retaining Rahane as captain for IPL 2026, KKR appear to be planning for the future.
Rinku Singh backed as future captain
Kaif strongly endorsed Rinku Singh as a potential future leader for the franchise, citing his consistent performances and ability to deliver in pressure situations.
“It is time for KKR to groom Rinku Singh as their future captain. He is an all-format player. Although he does not play Test cricket for India, he can contribute across formats,” Kaif said.
Drawing from his knowledge of domestic cricket, Kaif added that Rinku’s contributions have often come in match-winning situations, underlining his temperament and reliability.
KKR have already taken a step in that direction by appointing Rinku Singh as vice-captain for IPL 2026, signalling a long-term leadership transition within the squad.
Crucial season ahead for Rahane
As IPL 2026 approaches, the spotlight will firmly be on Rahane — both as a batter and as a captain.
While his experience remains valuable, the demands of modern T20 cricket require continuous evolution. Kaif’s remarks underline a broader reality: adaptability is no longer optional.
For Rahane, learning from Kohli’s example could be the key to extending his relevance and impact in the format.
With a strong squad and emerging leaders like Rinku Singh, KKR will look to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season. Whether Rahane can rise to the challenge and lead from the front remains to be seen.