“They Make My Job Easy”: Ajinkya Rahane Applauds KKR Spinners and Finn Allen After Win Over Delhi Capitals
Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane commended his team’s comprehensive eight-wicket victory over the Delhi Capitals. The win marks KKR’s fourth consecutive victory of the IPL 2026 tournament, driven by an unbeaten century from Finn Allen and a stifling performance by the spin bowling unit.
Match Summary
| Team | Score | Key Performer |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi Capitals | 142/8 (20 Overs) | KL Rahul / Pathum Nissanka |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | 145/2 | Finn Allen (100* off 47) |
Finn Allen Finds Form
Chasing 143, opener Finn Allen aggressively dismantled the Delhi bowling attack, finishing unbeaten on 100 off just 47 deliveries. Rahane expressed satisfaction with the New Zealand international’s turnaround after a quiet start to the season.
“First of all, let me just say I’m really happy for Finn Allen,” Rahane said. “He was struggling the first four or five games, working really hard, but the way he batted tonight was fantastic.”
Spinners Strangle Delhi Capitals
Before the run chase, the KKR bowling unit successfully derailed the Delhi Capitals’ innings. Despite a solid opening foundation built by Pathum Nissanka and KL Rahul, Delhi lost momentum during the middle overs.
Rahane credited the spin trio for choking the scoring rate and triggering a middle-order collapse:
- Sunil Narine: Provided veteran control and restricted boundaries.
- Varun Chakaravarthy: Exploited pitch conditions to force mistimed shots.
- Anukul Roy: Supported the frontline spinners with tight lines.
“Our spinners have been fantastic. Narine, Varun, and Anukul Roy, they understand conditions so well. They make my job easy as a captain,” Rahane explained. Regarding Narine’s specific impact, he added, “You don’t have to tell him too much. He is always ready. Even in practice, he is learning and sharing his experience. I’m lucky as a captain.”
Credit to the Support Staff
Rahane also highlighted the backroom staff’s role in KKR’s ongoing success. He pointed to improved ground fielding and catching as a direct result of strict standards set by the fielding coach. Additionally, he recognized bowling coaches Tim Southee and Dwayne Bravo for developing young fast bowlers like Kartik Tyagi to complement the established core.
“Overall, as a bowling unit, we are doing really well. But it’s important we stay grounded. One game at a time,” Rahane concluded, emphasizing the squad’s focus on taking the tournament delivery by delivery.