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

Multiple cricket pundits find it hard to gallop the fact that the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Ajinkya Rahane opted to bat first at the Eden Gardens despite knowing the weather conditions.

Ahead of the Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings (KKR vs PBKS), IPL 2026 match number 12, there were predictions for heavy rain and thunderstorms in the city. Traditionally, under heavy weather, teams mostly chose to bowl first because of the uncertainty.

Anil Kumble, R Ashwin, and Saba Karim were baffled by Rahane's call

Taking a completely different route, Rahane called to bat first. Cricket experts like Anil Kumble, Saba Karim, and Ravichandran Ashwin were baffled by Ajinkya Rahane’s decision. Proving the weather prediction accurate, rain and thunderstorms lashed the city of joy and paused the game during the 4^th over of the first innings. By the time KKR lost two wickets in the form of Finn Allen and Cameron Green.

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During the rain break, former India spinner, now a cricket expert, Anil Kumble said on the JioHotstar broadcast, “I am surprised that Rahane won the toss and chose to bat first. On a pitch like this, where there's some rain around, ideally, you would want to field first.”

Saba Karim also expressed the same. “I cannot understand this call. I cannot wrap my head around it,” Karim mentioned.

On the other side, former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was also surprised to see KKR go to bat first after winning the toss. Ahswin pointed out that under such weather conditions and with an inexperienced bowling combination, KKR’s decision to bat first took him by surprise.

“When you know it’s going to be a rain-affected game, with an inexperienced bowling attack at your disposal, you choose to bat first. Interesting thought process,” Ashwin wrote in his ‘X’ post.

When you know it’s going to be a rain affected game, with an inexperienced bowling attack at your disposal, you choose to bat first.

Interesting thought process. #ipl2026 pic.twitter.com/uPWQB7Odfr

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

Traditionally, the pitch of the Eden Gardens offers extra bounce to the seam bowlers in the early overs of the match. Under a layer of heavy clouds, the situation became more ideal for the bowlers.

KKR without Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy

Meanwhile, the Kolkata-based team announced their playing eleven for the match, without their key spinners, Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy. At the toss, Ajinkya Rahane informed that Varun missed the match because of the injury he received in the previous match while fielding, and they omitted Narine from the eleven because of health concerns.

Two changes, forced. Varun Chakravarthy got injured taking the catch in the last game, and Narine is sick. Powell and Saini are in," Rahane informed,” Ajinkya Rahane informed.

Ajinkya Rahane explained why he elected to bat first

According to Cricbuzz, the Kolkata Knight Riders are playing their first match since 2020 without either Sunil Narine or Varun Chakravarthy in the playing eleven. Rahane further explained why he chose to bat first. According to him, the pitch looked on the drier side, but looked overall nice.

“We are going to bat first. Looks like a good wicket, a little bit on the drier side, but it's a very good wicket and slightly less covering of grass as well. That’s the reason to put the runs on the board first,” Ajinkya Rahane explained.

Read More: KKR vs PBKS Impact Players Today: Toss Report, Playing XIs, Latest Updates IPL 2026 Match 12