Ajinkya Rahane Tops Worst-Ever IPL Captains' List Amid KKR Slump

Ajinkya Rahane tops worst IPL captains' list [Source: AFP, AP]

Kolkata Knight Riders extended their torrid run in IPL 2026, as Gujarat Titans crushed them by five wickets in the 25th match of the tournament. 

Batting first, KKR posted a respectable total of 180 runs in 20 overs. However, riding on Shubman Gill's flamboyant half-century, Gujarat Titans comfortably chased the target with five wickets and two balls to spare. 

Led by Ajinkya Rahane, the Knight Riders thus recorded their fifth defeat in IPL 2026, remaining winless after six outings. 

Apart from pushing them to the verge of a shambolic group-stage exit, KKR's fifth defeat of the season also placed Rahane at the top of an unwanted list of IPL captains. 

Shubman Gill runs riot as KKR's winless streak continues

After winning the toss, the Kolkata Knight Riders opted to bat first in order to capitalise on the Narendra Modi Stadium's batting-friendly conditions. 

Despite a top-order collapse, the Knight Riders powered themselves to a sizeable score of 180 runs, with Cameron Green slamming a sublime fifty and Rovman Powell chipping in with a valuable cameo. 

Although Green's valiant effort brought KKR back into the contest and gave their bowlers something to defend, Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill smashed a scintillating fifty, helping his side secure its third win of the season. 

The Titans' one-sided victory meant the Knight Riders further extended their winless streak to five matches in IPL 2026. 

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While he has blown hot and cold with the bat, Ajinkya Rahane topped a shambolic list of IPL captains following his side's another demoralising loss in the tournament. 

Ajinkya Rahane tops IPL captains' hall of shame

Stylish Mumbai batter Ajinkya Rahane was one of the most high-profile names in Rajasthan Royals before shifting his base to Delhi Capitals, followed by Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders. 

He was appointed as the KKR captain ahead of the 2025 season and certainly hasn't lived up to the expectations as far as the results are concerned. Rahane has led KKR to 12 defeats in 19 IPL matches, registering a miserable win percentage of 26.31. 

Ajinkya Rahane's overall IPL captaincy record isn't exceptional either, as he has only 14 wins under his belt across 44 matches in the tournament. He failed to deliver the goods for Rajasthan Royals, too, managing only 9 wins in 24 matches. 

The Knight Riders' recent defeat against GT marked Rahane's 28th loss as an IPL captain. Thus, he surpassed Mahela Jayawardene on an unwanted list, recording the worst win percentage as an IPL captain after a minimum of 25 appearances. 

IPL captains with worst win % (minimum 25 matches)

(IPL captains with worst winning percentage with a minimum 25 matches)

KKR on the verge of group-stage elimination

Led by Ajinkya Rahane, KKR had a middling season last year. They could win only five out of 14 group-stage matches, finishing eighth on the IPL points table. 

Their condition is far more critical this year, as they have been hit by the unavailability of key players, questionable decision-making and poor form of key players. 

Placed at the bottom of the ten-team IPL 2026 points table, the Knight Riders are gearing up to take on Rajasthan Royals in their seventh match of the season on April 19. 

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