Ajinkya Rahane Sets Unwanted IPL Record with Consecutive Ducks for KKR
In a disappointing turn of events at Eden Gardens on Sunday, Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane recorded his second consecutive duck in IPL 2026, falling for a two-ball zero against Rajasthan Royals. This performance has etched an unwanted record in his name, highlighting his struggles this season.
Rahane's Dismal Form Continues
Chasing a target of 156, Rahane was dismissed early in the second over by Nandre Burger, adding to a string of poor scores. This followed a golden duck in KKR's previous match against Gujarat Titans, marking a significant downturn in form. With this latest dismissal, Rahane now holds the record for the most ducks by an opener in IPL history, with 12 to his name.
Most Ducks as an Opener in IPL:
- 12 – Ajinkya Rahane*
- 11 – Parthiv Patel
- 10 – Shikhar Dhawan
- 10 – Gautam Gambhir
- 9 – David Warner
Rahane's IPL 2026 campaign has been inconsistent, with scores including 67 (40) against MI, 8 (10) vs SRH, 8* (6) vs PBKS, 41 (24) vs LSG, 28 (22) vs CSK, and now back-to-back zeros against GT and RR. His opening partner, Tim Seifert, also suffered a golden duck, bowled by Jofra Archer, making it a rare instance where both KKR openers were dismissed for zero.
Instances of Both Openers Dismissed for a Duck in IPL:
- Gambhir & Kallis vs DD, Dubai, 2014
- Seifert & Rahane vs RR, Kolkata, 2026*
Rajasthan Royals' Batting Collapse
Earlier in the match, after winning the toss, Rajasthan Royals opted to bat first. They got off to a flying start, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scoring at over 10 runs per over, reaching 63 without loss in the power play. However, the introduction of spin changed the game's dynamics.
Sooryavanshi hit Sunil Narine for a six off his second ball, but Narine responded with five dot deliveries, tightening the screws. Varun Chakravarthy then struck, dismissing Sooryavanshi with his fourth ball, which also marked his 200th T20 wicket. The batter was caught by Ramandeep Singh at deep midwicket.
From a strong position, Rajasthan Royals slipped to 118 for four in 15 overs, with the run rate dropping below eight. Chakravarthy and Narine combined to take five wickets, restricting RR to 155 for nine. It could have been worse for RR had KKR not conceded ground early on.
This match underscores the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket, where momentum can shift rapidly. For KKR, Rahane's form will be a concern as they navigate the rest of the season, while RR's middle-order collapse highlights areas for improvement.
