Ajinkya Rahane expressed pride in Kolkata Knight Riders despite their disappointing exit from IPL 2026. Ajinkya Rahane praised the team’s resilience after a difficult start to the season and highlighted how the squad stayed united under pressure. Ajinkya Rahane said the team showed character by keeping their playoff hopes alive deep into the tournament.

Kolkata Knight Riders finished seventh in the IPL 2026 points table after losing their final league game to Delhi Capitals. Ajinkya Rahane admitted the team was disappointed to miss out on qualification but appreciated the effort shown by every player. Ajinkya Rahane emphasised that bouncing back after the first half of the season was one of the biggest positives for KKR.

Ajinkya Rahane stated that KKR were in a difficult position after the opening six games of IPL 2026. He explained that the squad needed resilience, positivity, and belief to recover from early setbacks. Ajinkya Rahane credited every player for contributing to the comeback and maintaining a strong attitude throughout the competition.

The KKR captain also pointed out that handling pressure during a long IPL season is never easy. Ajinkya Rahane said the dressing room remained positive even during difficult moments, and the team continued giving maximum effort in every match. Ajinkya Rahane believed the fighting spirit shown by the squad reflected the unity within the camp.

Kolkata Knight Riders ended their IPL 2026 campaign with a 40-run defeat against Delhi Capitals in Kolkata. Ajinkya Rahane watched KL Rahul score a composed half-century while Kuldeep Yadav starred with three wickets for Delhi Capitals. Ajinkya Rahane still praised the commitment shown by his teammates despite the disappointing finish to the IPL 2026 season.

Even though KKR failed to reach the playoffs, Ajinkya Rahane remained proud of the team’s response after a difficult start. Ajinkya Rahane believes the squad can learn valuable lessons from this season and return stronger in future IPL campaigns.