India, April 6 -- After a second consecutive defeat in the ongoing 2026 season of the Indian Premier League, with Kolkata Knight Riders losing to Sunrisers Hyderabad at home last week, captain Ajinkya Rahane refused to offer excuses. However, he admitted the team lacked a big partnership while also defending his own approach with the bat.

Chasing 227 at Eden Gardens, KKR were skittled for 161 in just 16 overs. Rahane himself managed eight off nine balls before edging a slower delivery from Jaydev Unadkat. He struggled considerably against spin, with Ishan Kishan deploying Harsh Dubey and Abhishek Sharma early in the innings to exploit that weakness.

But Rahane was fierce in defending his form when questioned by reporters after the 65-ru...