Rinku Singh to replace Ajinkya Rahane? KKR skipper breaks silence on captaincy ahead of IPL 2026

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is ready to begin on March 28 with a match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Ahead of the season, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will continue with Ajinkya Rahane as their captain as the team looks to improve their performances.

The BCCI recently announced the tournament schedule for the first twenty days due to upcoming state elections. Teams are finalizing their preparations and strategies. KKR finished in eighth position last year, so the management is trusting Rahane to guide the franchise toward a better finish.

Ajinkya Rahane Shares His Views on Mental Preparation

Before the start of the new season, Ajinkya Rahane shared a post on his LinkedIn account. The veteran batter stated that mental focus is just as important as physical training.

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"With the IPL around the corner, it's time to start shifting gears. Preparation for a tournament like this begins well before the first game. There's the physical work - time in the gym, sessions in the nets, getting the body ready for the demands of a long season. But for me, the most important preparation starts in the mind," Ajinkya Rahane said.

"It's about taking a moment to reset, reflect, and begin thinking about the situations the tournament might bring. Visualising moments, understanding responsibilities, and getting into the rhythm of competition again.

Responsibility I Truly Value - Ajinkya Rahane on Leading the Kolkata Knight Riders

Ajinkya Rahane expressed his excitement about leading the Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2026. The experienced batter said that the Indian Premier League remains one of the most competitive and thrilling tournaments in world cricket.

"The IPL is one of the most intense and exciting tournaments in world cricket. Leading the Kolkata Knight Riders this season is a responsibility I truly value. Over the next few days, it's about locking in, trusting the preparation, and getting ready for the journey ahead with the team. Looking forward to the season!"

AJINKYA RAHANE TO CONTINUE AS KKR CAPTAIN IN IPL 2026 🚨

In his recent post — He highlighted the importance of mental preparation and trusting the team’s process ahead of the new season. pic.twitter.com/rCpEsQ7Epk

— KKR Karavan (@KkrKaravan) March 13, 2026

Kolkata Knight Riders Enter IPL 2026 with a Fresh Setup

The Kolkata Knight Riders head into IPL 2026 with a fresh look. Abhishek Nayar has taken over as the head coach, bringing his tactical knowledge to the dressing room for the new season.

The legendary Andre Russell will return to the franchise in a new role. Following his retirement from the league, he will serve as the team's power coach to help batters improve their hitting abilities during the tournament.

KKR formed a new team this season after releasing players like Andre Russell, Venkatesh Iyer, Quinton de Kock, and Moeen Ali. Entering the mega auction with a big purse, they secured Cameron Green for ₹25.20 crore.

The team will play their first match on March 29 against the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium. After that away game, they will play the rest of their matches at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. KKR will only play four games in the first half of the scheduled tournament.

Also read: Bad news for CSK! MS Dhoni’s franchise dragged to court by Kavya Maran before IPL 2026