Kolkata Knight Riders once again failed to execute their plans, registering their second consecutive defeat of the tournament. Their latest defeat was against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday in Kolkata. Chasing a huge total of 226 set by Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders never managed to build that crucial stand, collapsing to 161 in 16 overs and handing SRH a comprehensive 65-run victory. 

After the match, captain Ajinkya Rahane admitted the absence of a meaningful partnership as a decisive factor. In high-pressure chases, Rahane felt that teams must preserve wickets and stretch the innings deep. KKR, however, failed to string together even a single half-century stand; that cost them the defeat. 

"The wicket was good today. Played really well. With the ball, the way we came back into the game, especially after 10 overs, was amazing. At that point, it looked like they will get for 250-260. They were 130-140 after 10 overs. But I think the bowlers came back really well, bowled really smartly," Rahane said at the press conference.

"SRH bowlers, they saw what we did in the first innings. They got an idea of how the wicket was playing. The first six overs were crucial for us, we lost that extra wicket of Cameron Green, which he got run out. When you're chasing that target, it's bound to happen. You are going to lose wickets, lose that momentum. We needed a couple of big partnerships, guys who were set, they needed to take it deep and challenge the bowlers," he said. 

Rahane’s own innings reflected the team’s struggles. He scored eight runs off ten balls.

"My strike rate... I have the best strike rate so far, from 2023. People who are talking are probably not watching the game, or they have a certain agenda against me. They don't like me playing. They don't like to watch me play. The amount of success I've got, I guess they're jealous about that.

"I'm not too worried. My intent was there. Sometimes as a batter you don't get the rhythm or the flow. People who are talking either don't understand the game or they want me to play a different kind of innings. They didn't expect that Ajinkya Rahane would improve his game this much. I am happy they are talking about me – negative or positive. Let them talk. But partnering Finn Allen, it has been amazing. The first six overs, you need to look to play fearless cricket with freedom. At times you will struggle; that's okay, it's important to accept. I know what I am doing," Rahane said.