Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Ajinkya Rahane came under fire on Tuesday after a decision not to review his LBW call possibly cost his team a crucial win against Punjab Kings in the IPL.
Chasing just 112 on a bowler-friendly pitch, KKR looked on track before Rahane’s dismissal sparked a collapse. They eventually folded for 95, handing Punjab a 16-run win in a low-scoring thriller.
The moment that changed everything? Rahane was given out LBW to Yuzvendra Chahal. Instead of opting for the Decision Review System (DRS), the KKR captain walked off, despite a clear chance he might’ve survived. His batting partner Angkrish Raghuvanshi even called him back for a quick chat. But Rahane stuck with his instinct and didn’t review.
Replays soon showed he should’ve. The ball had pitched outside off, and the decision would likely have been overturned.
Former India batter Mohammad Kaif didn’t hold back. He called out Rahane on social media, urging him to stop playing it too safe.
“High time Rahane, the team man, becomes a bit selfish. He should realise he is KKR’s main batsman, he needs to take DRS if there is slightest of doubts,” Kaif posted on X (formerly Twitter).
High time Rahane the team man becomes a bit selfish. He should realise, he is KKR's main batsman, he needs to take DRS if there is slightest of doubts.#KKRvPBKS
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) April 15, 2025
Rahane later admitted he made the wrong call. Speaking after the match, he said, “I’ll take the blame. Played the wrong shot, although it was missing. I wasn’t sure, and Angkrish said it might be umpire’s call. I didn’t want to take the chance.”
In a game where every run mattered, that decision stood out. And with KKR fighting for playoff spots, the skipper’s misstep could haunt them down the line.
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