Aakash Chopra expresses concerns over KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane's role
What's the story
The recent appointment of Ajinkya Rahane as the captain of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for IPL 2025 has raised fears of a "captain-batter" conflict.
Former KKR player Aakash Chopra raised the concerns in an interview with ESPNCricinfo.
He stressed that the "captain-batter" conflict could be a major challenge for KKR this season.
"KKR's biggest challenge this season is the 'captain-batter' conflict that Rahane will face," Chopra noted.
Here's more.
Batting strategy
Rahane's batting position crucial for KKR's success
Chopra also hinted that Rahane's batting position is key to KKR's success.
He said, "For Rahane the batter, the best thing to do is open at Eden Gardens. Or else, bat at No. 3."
He reasoned that anything lower than these positions could reduce Rahane's contribution to the team.
"Anything lower kills his chance to contribute significantly because he needs the powerplay," he said.
Team dynamics
Potential conflict with Sunil Narine's batting role
Chopra also pointed out a possible conflict in Sunil Narine's batting position.
He said Narine had done pretty well as an opener last season and is expected to continue the same with wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock.
Notably, Narine smashed 488 runs in 14 matches last season.
Meanwhile, this could now put KKR in a dilemma over Rahane's batting position.
"Now will they tell Narine not to open after the runs he scored last season?" questioned Chopra.
Expert opinion
Harbhajan Singh's perspective on Rahane's batting position
Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh also shared his views on Rahane's batting position.
He agreed with Chopra that No. 3 would be the best spot for Rahane.
However, he suggested that if KKR struggled to fit the former India captain into the top order, they might have been better off naming Narine or Iyer as captain for IPL 2025.
Numbers
Rahane's IPL stats at a glance
Playing for the Chennai Super Kings in 2024, Rahane managed 242 runs at 20.17 across 13 matches. He had a strike rate of 123.47 and a high score of 45.
Overall, the batter owns 4,642 IPL runs at an average of 30.14. Across 185 matches, he boasts a strike rate of 123.42, alongside two hundreds and 30 half-centuries.
Notably, according to ESPNcricinfo, the batter has scored 3,685 of his runs as an opener at 32.90 across 126 innings.