Watch: Ajinkya Rahane gives KKR big injury scare, walks off the field limping in IPL 2026 clash against MI

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) suffered a massive blow in the middle of their high-stakes clash against Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium on March 29, during the second match of the IPL 2026 season. KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane, who had earlier played a brilliant, record-breaking knock of 67 off 40 balls in the first innings, was forced to walk off the ground with a visible limp during the run chase.

Ajinkya Rahane leaves field limping

The veteran leader had to abandon his fielding duties due to what initially appeared to be severe cramps or a foot injury. In Rahane's sudden absence, the responsibility of leading the side fell on the shoulders of dynamic middle-order batter Rinku Singh. Having recently been appointed as the franchise's vice-captain, Rinku took over the on-field captaincy duties for the remainder of the match.

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The worrying scene unfolded just after the conclusion of the fourth over of the second innings. As spinner Varun Chakaravarthy was preparing to begin his run-up for the fifth over, Rahane suddenly went down on his back in discomfort at the cover region. The match was briefly paused as the KKR team physio rushed onto the field to attend to the captain. Unable to continue, Rahane was helped to his feet and assisted off the field, with veteran batter Manish Pandey taking his place as the substitute fielder.

Watch the video here:

Rahane's injury came at a highly competitive point in the match. Rahane is a seasoned campaigner who is known for leading from the front. Throughout his illustrious career, the veteran cricketer has experienced countless high-pressure scenarios and mastered the art of navigating tricky match situations.

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In Rahane’s sudden absence, the responsibility of guiding the team forward fell on the shoulders of Rinku Singh, who was named the deputy captain ahead of the IPL 2026 season. While Rinku has picked up some leadership experience in the domestic circuit, managing a high-stakes IPL game is a massive step up. This unexpected shift in responsibility was a defining test of his on-field decision-making.

KKR had previously put themselves in the driving seat by racking up a massive total of 220 runs in the first innings. Ajinkya Rahane batted beautifully alongside his opening partner Finn Allen, with vital middle-order contributions from Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Rinku himself. Explosive half-centuries from both Rahane and Raghuvanshi were the driving force that pushed the team towards big total.