"Their biggest problem": EX-PBKS all-rounder rants massive truth about KKR ahead of IPL 2026
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Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has exposed KKR's weakness against spinners and ranted that this might be the decisive factor in KKR's IPL campaign. The Knight Riders have been unfortunate in several ways, but they have also failed to address some major concerns from the last season.
After a disappointing end to KKR's IPL 2025 campaign, where they finished 8th in the points table despite being the defending champions from 2024. They wanted to revamp their entire squad ahead of the next season and brought in Abhishek Nayar as the new head coach to enforce some changes.
KKR made some tough calls, releasing the likes of Andre Russell ahead of the mini-auction. KKR focused on building a talent pool mainly comprising overseas players; however, what will be their biggest concern now is fitting all the crucial players in that XI.
KKR did not address their biggest concern in IPL 2025 - Irfan Pathan
Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan feels KKR did well in the mini-auction, picking some good players, but they did not acknowledge their biggest worry from the previous seasons. They failed to pick players who can tackle spin in the middle overs.
"I think KKR did not address their biggest problem in the auction correctly. What has been their biggest problem? It's to counter spin in the middle overs; ever since Shreyas Iyer and Nitish Rana left the franchise, they have not had batters who can play spin well in the middle phase of the game," said Irfan Pathan.
"They have not picked such players in the middle order, as a result of which they failed miserably last season. Even this season, when I witness this team, I feel that such a thing could happen," the player kept adding layer after layer.
IRFAN PATHAN ON KKR WEAKNESS 🗣
— Venky Mama (@venkymama100) March 21, 2026
- KKR biggest problem is playing spin. After Shreyas and Nitish Rana, there hasnt been any spin basher in KKR middle order.
- Ajinkya and Rinku have looked weak playing spin.
- Also the oversea selection of KKR would be a trouble to select from… pic.twitter.com/h2ElZ1m6Fi
Irfan Pathan runs through KKR's IPL 2026 signings
The all-rounder next looked down at KKR's option of players, where he found no such batter who could be relied on to tackle spin well in the middle. He also said that they have too many players for the same role in the team.
"Whom shall you pick to counter-spin in the middle order? Rovman Powell? Yes, his stats are fairly good at no. 4 for the West Indies, and he handles spin well. But when it comes to the IPL, spinners play a very unique role in the middle overs.
"Next is Ajinkya Rahane; whenever he opens the innings, he is very good, but when he comes in the middle order, his strike rate against spin drops to almost 100. What will you call Rinku Singh? Is he a good spin or seam hitter? Yes, he is a good hitter of the faster balls. Ramandeep, who comes lower down the order, also mainly bats against seamers," Pathan observed.
KKR have played a big gamble of 3 crores- Irfan Pathan
Irfan Pathan backed KKR's gamble to bring in Delhi wicket-keeper batter Tejasvi Dahiya. The batter has been a fearless striker of the ball, but Angkrish Raghuvanshi might be his nearest opponent for a spot in the XI.
"KKR bought Tejsavi Dahiya. The batter has a very impressive strike rate; he is a youngster with an early career. KKR have played a big gamble of 3 crores. He is an exciting talent, but we need to keep in mind that he is only a youngster," Pathan added.
"So I think the spin issues would continue for KKR. So, more than being unlucky with some players missing out, this factor of how they counter spin in the middle overs shall seal KKR's fate in the competition," Pathan concluded, addressing the spin troubles for Knight Riders.
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IPL Kolkata Knight Riders Irfan Pathan Ajinkya Rahane Rinku Singh Rovman Powell Cameron GreenAbout the Author
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