Kolkata, April 3 (NationPress) Kolkata Knight Riders' skipper Ajinkya Rahane stood up for his batting style following a challenging 65-run defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). He responded to those questioning his strike rate and playing intent, suggesting that critics harbor jealousy and possess an agenda against him.

Rahane had a rocky start, scoring just eight runs from his opening nine deliveries before misplaying a slower delivery from Jaydev Unadkat. He also struggled to rotate the strike or play aggressive shots against the spin duo of Harsh Dubey and Abhishek Sharma during the powerplay.

In contrast, during KKR's first match of the tournament against the Mumbai Indians, Rahane scored a commendable 67 off 40 balls at a strike rate of 167.50.

Furthermore, KKR faced challenges with a lack of significant partnerships, with no pair managing to reach a half-century. The situation worsened due to the run-outs of crucial players, Cameron Green and Angkrish Raghuvanshi, leading to the team's dismissal for 161 runs in just 16 overs.

"As for my strike rate, I hold the highest strike rate among players in 2023. Those criticizing me are likely not paying attention or have their own biases against me. They seem to dislike my playing style and perhaps envy my success. I remain unfazed. My intention is clear; sometimes, as a batter, you may not find your rhythm or flow," Rahane shared with reporters during the post-match press conference.

Since the start of IPL 2023, only Abhishek Sharma (176.56) surpasses Rahane (167.78) in strike rate during the powerplay among Indian players (minimum 250 balls faced).

"Critics either fail to grasp the game or expect me to play in a different manner. They didn't anticipate the level to which I would enhance my game. I take comfort in the fact that I'm being discussed—whether positively or negatively. Let them talk. Partnering with Finn Allen has been fantastic. The initial six overs demand fearless cricket and the freedom to express oneself. There will be struggles, and that’s acceptable," Rahane added.

"I am confident in my abilities and my past performances, and I trust myself rather than concern myself with others’ opinions. Let the critics continue their chatter," Rahane concluded.

Following their two defeats in the opening matches, KKR finds itself in a challenging position—marking only the second occasion in the franchise's history to start a season this poorly. They aim to recover when they face the Punjab Kings on April 6 and the Lucknow Super Giants on April 9.