Murali Kartik Names Ajinkya Rahane as IPL 2026 Best Captain

Former India cricketer Murali Kartik has named Ajinkya Rahane as the best captain of IPL 2026. Kartik's recognition highlights Rahane's leadership of a depleted Kolkata Knight Riders squad throughout the tournament season.

According to Kartik, Rahane faced significant challenges during the campaign, including injuries affecting the team's roster. The captain also endured early criticism from observers. "Everybody was throwing darts at him," Kartik stated, describing the scrutiny Rahane encountered during the initial stages of the competition.

Despite these obstacles, Rahane orchestrated a remarkable turnaround for the Kolkata Knight Riders. The franchise began the season with a winless start but managed to recover and position themselves as playoff contenders. Kartik noted that the team remained in playoff contention until the final day of league matches, a significant achievement given their difficult beginning.

Kartik specifically praised Rahane's ability to rally the side against adversity. The former India cricketer's assessment emphasizes how Rahane's leadership qualities emerged under pressure, transforming a struggling and depleted squad into competitive playoff contenders. The recognition places Rahane's captaincy performance as the standout among IPL 2026 leaders.