Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane faces injury scans after a fielding mishap against DC. Stay updated on IPL 2025 via BRG365 for real-time news and analysis.
Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Ajinkya Rahane left the field midway during Monday's clash against Delhi Capitals after sustaining a painful blow to his right hand while fielding at short cover.
The incident occurred in the 12th over when a fierce drive from Faf du Plessis struck Rahane’s outstretched hand, forcing him to exit for treatment immediately.
Team physio Prasanth Panchada confirmed Rahane will undergo a detailed scan on Wednesday to assess potential bone bruising.
"While initial strapping stabilized the area, we’re prioritizing imaging to rule out structural damage," a KKR spokesperson told ESPNcricinfo.
The injury casts uncertainty over Rahane’s availability for Friday’s critical fixture against Mumbai Indians.
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Leadership Shift in Mid-Game
With vice-captain Venkatesh Iyer substituted out earlier, veteran all-rounder Sunil Narine took charge as interim captain – a pivotal move.
Narine’s tactical acumen shone through as he claimed 3/22, including the scalps of Axar Patel and Tristan Stubbs, to secure KKR’s 14-run defense of 204.
Rahane Downplays Concerns
Post-match, Ajinkya Rahane reassured fans: "It’s manageable. The medical team’s done excellent work – we’ll know more tomorrow."
The 36-year-old contributed a brisk 26(14) during KKR’s powerplay surge, underlining his dual value as leader and top-order stabilizer.
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Playoff Pulse Check
Currently seventh with nine points from 10 matches, KKR faces mounting pressure to replicate their 2021 late-season resurgence.
"We’re drawing confidence from past campaigns," Ajinkya Rahane emphasized, "but focus remains on executing each game."
Injury Ripple Effects
Should scans reveal significant damage, KKR’s leadership structure could see permanent reshuffling. Narine’s composed captaincy debut offers contingency options, but the franchise remains hopeful Ajinkya Rahane will recover swiftly, given his 82.14 strike rate this season and calm sideline presence.
Medical updates are expected by Thursday noon IST as KKR’s playoff hopes hang in delicate balance.
