Ajinkya Rahane, Tim Seifert
Kolkata Knight Riders’ opening woes continued in IPL 2026 as both Ajinkya Rahane and Tim Seifert fell early again in the match against Lucknow Super Giants on Sunday.KKR have struggled for starts all season, and the trend has followed the same pattern as the top order has failed to provide the base.Tim Seifert was first to hit the final shot of the second. Mohsin Khan bowled a full delivery around the off stump, and Seifert clipped it straight to Mukul Choudhury at covers. He was dismissed for 0 off 3 balls, giving Mohsin a maiden wicket.Ajinkya Rahane followed soon after in the fourth ball of the fourth over. Mohsin bowled a long ball around leg stump, and Rahane tried to hit it across the line. He was beaten for lack of pace, mistimed the shot and the ball went towards mid-on where Aiden Markram completed the safe catch.
Rahane got out with 10 off 15 balls, including a single and a six.With both goals denied in two successive matches, LSG got off to the perfect start in front of their home fans.KKR’s opening partnerships this season have been among the poorest in the tournament.Their opening stands in IPL 2026 read: 69 against Mumbai Indians, 30 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, 12 against Punjab Kings, 15 against Lucknow Super Giants, 13 against Chennai Super Kings, 5 against Gujarat Titans, 0 against Rajasthan Royals, and now 3 against LSG.
This adds up to 147 points at an average of 18.37, the lowest among all teams this season.KKR opening stand in IPL 2026
- 69 (32) v. May
- 30(9) for sexual and reproductive health
- 12(10) v. BBKS
- 15(10) v LSG
- 13(10) v. CSK
- 5(4) v. GT
- 0 (1) for Rs
- 3(12) v LSG
KKR’s openers have compiled just 258 runs this season at an average of 17.2, which is also the lowest for any team in the tournament.Rahane’s numbers in the Powerplay also reflected the struggle.In eight innings, he scored 90 runs off 73 balls, with four dismissals. His batting average is 123.3, while his dot-ball percentage is 42.4.After a Saturday in which teams broke scoring records, Sunday turned into a low-scoring day, and KKR once again found themselves hurt by early wickets at the top.