![Ajinkya Rahane gets bashed online for blunder [Source: AFP and Screengrab]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1775488773103_AjinkyaRahanegetsbashedonlineforblunder.jpg?type=hq)
Ajinkya Rahane gets bashed online for blunder [Source: AFP and Screengrab]
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings match scorecard has been put on a halt as the rain gods have blessed Eden Gardens on April 6, putting a halt on the match. The Eden Gardens, Kolkata weather forecast shared a 50% chance of rain on Monday evening.
Although the match started with Kolkata batting first, it has now been put on a halt due to the interruption.
Amidst all this, KKR's skipper Ajinkya Rahane has been lambasted by fans on social media due to a horde of choices that have gone wrong for the team.
Ajinkya Rahane Blamed For Blunder During Toss
The KKR versus Punjab clash saw some patch of greens on the pitch before the match, and a lot of cracks were also there with a moist surface. It noted that bowlers will be getting help early in the match with the strong wind and a rain forecast that clearly will favour chasing teams in case the DLS method comes in action.
However, Ajinkya Rahane ignored all of these match conditions at the toss as, after winning it, he chose to bat first while sharing his two cents on the pitch.
Also Read- Rain Arrives At Eden Gardens During KKR Vs PBKS IPL 2026 Match
Rahane exclusively told at the toss that the wicket looks good to bat first and is a bit on the drier side. It seemed like a very good wicket for Rahane since he stated that it has slightly less grass on the surface.
Though his claims can be made a bit of a sense, given the pitch angle, the weather forecast clearly didn't favour the team batting first, due to the Eden Gardens weather.
No Varun, No Narine, Spin Department Handicapped
Another massive change that Ajinkya Rahane made is in the Playing XI, where there has been two changes with Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine out of the match.
As far Rahane, Chakravarthy got injured in the last game while taking a catch and Sunil Narine is sick, hence Navdeep Saini is in for Chakravarthy and Rovman Powell replaced Narine.
These two pace-strengthening inclusions now leaves KKR with only one spin option, that is Anukul Roy. Hence, the all-in pace attack was also criticized on an Eden surface that will have a damp and wet pitch after the rain.
KKR Suffering Batting First Blunder At Eden Gardens
Moreover, things have not been on the good side for the Ajinkya Rahane-led so far. Coming into bat, inside 3.4 overs, Kolkata lost two wickets in form of Finn Allen and Cameron Green.
Also Read- Eden Gardens Kolkata Drainage System: When Will KKR Vs PBKS Resume Once Rain Stops?
Xavier Bartlett bowled a gem of an over to dismiss both the batters with his ball. In the fourth ball of the second over, Bartlett scalped a struggling Finn Allen, who was beaten multiple times by Bartlett's swinging length.
Bartlett Picks Cameron Green, Finn Allen Early
Bartlett's tight lines induced a false stroke from Allen on a ball that shaped away from the fourth stump line. As Allen stayed leg-side of it to play a lofted drive away from his body, the ball catched an edge of the bat and was palmed safely by Prabhsimran Singh.
Meanwhile, Cameron Green was shown the pavilion in almost the same way. Bartlett delivered an off-stump channel which moved away off the surface, Green attempted to drive it and nicked the edge, which again was caught by Prasidh Krishna behind the stumps.
Overall, Ajinkya Rahane's decision to bat first under overcast conditions has started backfiring already, with KKR already on the back foot after losing their two primary batters from the front line.
Follow KKR Vs PBKS live updates as rain intensifies in Kolkata to frustrate fans
