IPL 2026: Rahane Breaks Record for Most Ducks as Opener
Synopsis
Ajinkya Rahane's struggles in IPL 2026 continued as he set an unwelcome record for the most ducks by an opener. His early dismissal in KKR's match against Rajasthan Royals highlights the team's ongoing challenges this season.
Key Takeaways
Ajinkya Rahane sets a record with 12 ducks as an opener.
Both KKR openers were dismissed for ducks in the same match.
KKR struggles continue as they remain winless in IPL 2026.
Rajasthan Royals posted 155/9 after a strong start.
KKR's spin bowlers played a key role in restricting Rajasthan's total.
Kolkata, April 19 (NationPress) Ajinkya Rahane had yet another disappointing match in IPL 2026, scoring a two-ball duck which made him the player with the highest number of ducks as an opener in the history of the tournament during the Kolkata Knight Riders' match against the Rajasthan Royals at Eden Gardens on Sunday.
Rahane's early exit occurred in KKR's pursuit of 156 runs, as he was dismissed in the second over by Nandre Burger. Attempting to play a cut shot off a short delivery outside off, Rahane was surprised by the extra bounce, resulting in an edge that was caught by Dhruv Jurel. This early setback left KKR struggling at two wickets down within just eight balls.
This dismissal marked Rahane’s second consecutive duck this season and his 12th as an opener in IPL history, surpassing Parthiv Patel (11) to claim the top spot in this unwanted record. Notably, he now outpaces other prolific names such as Shikhar Dhawan, Gautam Gambhir, and David Warner.
Throughout the current season, Rahane's performance has been erratic, with his scores reading 67, 8, 8*, 41, 28, 0, and 0. While he has occasionally showcased some fluidity, his inconsistency at the top has negatively impacted KKR's starts.
In a rare occurrence, both KKR openers were dismissed for ducks in this match, marking only the 13th instance of such an event in IPL history. This was the first time KKR has seen both their openers go without scoring since Gautam Gambhir and Jacques Kallis did so back in 2014. Tim Seifert and Rahane returned to the pavilion in the first two overs of the chase, placing immediate pressure on the middle order.
Earlier, the Rajasthan Royals set a total of 155/9 after being sent in to bat, a score that seemed inadequate at one point, considering their strong start. Yashasvi Jaiswal (39) and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (46) combined for an 81-run opening partnership, creating a solid foundation.
However, KKR’s spin bowlers Varun Chakaravarthy (3/14) and Sunil Narine (2/26) triggered a stunning collapse in the middle overs. Rajasthan lost wickets at regular intervals, including a three-wicket over from Kartik Tyagi, and ended up with just 155/9 after initially being 81/0.
Despite managing to restrict Rajasthan to a modest score, KKR's chase began poorly, underscoring their ongoing struggles this season. Still without a win in the tournament, the Kolkata-based team must quickly turn things around to keep their playoff aspirations alive.
Point of View
Ajinkya Rahane's record for most ducks as an opener in IPL history raises concerns about his performance consistency. Kolkata Knight Riders face significant challenges as they seek to improve their standings in the tournament.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What record did Ajinkya Rahane set in IPL 2026?
Ajinkya Rahane set the record for the most ducks by an opener in IPL history during his two-ball duck in a match against Rajasthan Royals.
How many ducks does Rahane have as an opener?
Ajinkya Rahane now has 12 ducks as an opener in IPL history, surpassing the previous record of 11 held by Parthiv Patel.
What was KKR's performance against Rajasthan Royals?
KKR's performance against Rajasthan Royals was disappointing, with both openers falling for ducks and the team struggling to chase down a modest total of 156.
Who were the top scorers for Rajasthan Royals?
Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 39 runs and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made 46 runs, contributing to Rajasthan Royals' total of 155/9.
What are KKR's current standings in IPL 2026?
As of now, KKR remains winless in IPL 2026, making it crucial for them to turn their performance around to keep playoff hopes alive.
