Ajinkya Rahane and Shreyas Iyer might have failed to snap their lean run, but Mumbai all-rounder Shardul Thakur on Sunday placed trust in them to return to run-making ways and exhorted for backing the senior batters during their struggle period.
With KKR failing to capitalise on home advantage, the pressure is already mounting on Rahane and his squad to bounce back in their next encounter.
Cheteshwar Pujara, one of India's finest Test batters, called time on his illustrious career on Sunday.
Kolkata Knight Riders will have little motivation left when they take on also ousted Sunrisers Hyderabad in an inconsequential IPL game in New Delhi on Sunday.
India opted to bring in Rajat Patidar as Kohli's replacement.
Shardul Thakur bowled 8 full tosses, conceded 9 runs and took 2 wickets. It's early days and Thakur's season has seen him enjoy mixed fortunes, His figures of 2 for 52 were lucky breakthroughs but he is a great wicket-taking option.
'I have always played wherever the team wanted me to play. Team thinking has always come first.'
IMAGES from the IPL match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday
Ajinkya Rahane will be plying his trade for the English county side Leicestershire in Division 2, after the two-Test series against the West Indies next month.
Venky Mysore backs 'resilient' KKR, recalls 2014 record run
The Delhi Capitals will be looking to improve their batting performance in the middle overs when they face a struggling Kolkata Knight Riders in their Indian Premier League match on Tuesday.
Magnificent fifties by openers Virat Kohli and Phil Salt guided RCB to a comfortable seven-wicket win over defending champions KKR.
In two of the three games CSK has won this season, Noor Ahmad has won the Player of the Match award.
Bee Gees' 'Stayin' Alive, Stayin' Alive' could've been the soundtrack of the night - because Sunil Narine made sure Kolkata Knight Riders were doing just that.
Morgan said KKR failed to forge partnerships in chase of 199 as they finished at an ordinary 159 for eight.
In the recently concluded five-match Test series against England, India's star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant stood tall as a beacon of determination, battling through injuries to deliver a string of gutsy, crowd-pleasing knocks that underlined his value to the side.
Bright dreams of a new journey, desperation to stage a comeback and desire to rediscover old glory will be the dominant themes of this season's Ranji Trophy that begins at various centres across the country from Friday.
Rahane stands at crossroads in his comeback Test
'The Goal is clear, to make another comeback to Team India. There is a belief in me that I will make a comeback.'
Shreyas Iyer had led KKR to their first IPL title in a decade last year. However, on Saturday, he returns as captain of a rejuvenated Punjab Kings chasing a play-off spot.
A look at India's narrowest victories by run margin -- games that tested nerves, showcased grit, and etched unforgettable drama into Test history.
The unexpected 10-day break has left both the RCB and the KKR with different goals to achieve and common challenges to hurdle over.
Narine stars as KKR keep playoff hopes alive with 14-run win over DC
Ravindra Jadeja continued his renaissance as a batter, delivering his best-ever outing during the recent Test series in England and joining a list of legends
The India skipper will be eyeing the great Don Bradman's 88-year-old record for most runs by a captain in a Test series.
Ajinkya Rahane never gives up. After surprising the cricketing world with the fastest fifty of IPL 2023 at the Wankhede stadium on Saturday, the out of favour India batter yearns to play a Test match at his home ground.
A look back at a few memorable showdowns in the last decade and half that had the quintessential crests and troughs of Test cricket.
Chahal's match-defining spell saw him take home his first Player of the Match for Punjab Kings.
Yuzvendra Chahal led a stunning comeback for Punjab Kings with 4/28 as they defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by 16 runs in their low-scoring Indian Premier League thriller on Tuesday.
IMAGES from the IPL match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday
At stumps, Australia extended their lead to 296 runs by reaching 123 for four in 44 overs in their second innings.
'There's something about visiting your roots that keeps you grounded.'
Former coach Ravi Shastri termed Ajinkya Rahane's Test comeback as a reward for his impressive domestic show.
Ajinkya Rahane has always loved staying under the radar even when he was a highly successful India captain and that possibly explains his affinity for Mumbai's head coach Omkar Salvi, who seems to be cut from the same cloth.
Asked whether he supports home advantage in the IPL, Ganguly gave a measured response.
Sanjay Manjrekar reveals Rahane's mindset for the WTC Final
Rahane's comeback after 15 months was on predictable lines
Former India captains Dilip Vengsarkar and Diana Edulji were conferred with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA).aments.
With a power-packed batting line-up, match-winning spinners and a solid pace attack, champions KKR are once again the team to beat.
