EXCLUSIVE: Navdeep Saini opens up about KKR vs PBKS controversy, Ajinkya Rahane's captaincy & more

Navdeep Saini was roped in by KKR as replacement for Harshit Rana ahead of IPL 2026

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 – a story in itself. Marred by the injuries and controversies ahead of the season, the majority of the fans had already predicted a bottom-half finish for the three-time champions. 

However, with little hope, strong belief and no shortage of talent, the young guns, marshalled by Ajinkya Rahane, entered the tournament keeping in sight the fourth title and more importantly shutting out all the doubts. 

The start of the tournament for KKR surely was a forgettable one. Under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane, the three-time champions lost their first six games on the trot, which allowed trolls and critics to go even further and leave no stone unturned in going hard at team.

KKR tried different combinations, however; nothing much worked. One of the players, who got an opportunity to play was Navdeep Saini, an exciting prospect who was sidelined without getting tested much. 

Navdeep Saini, who went unsold in the IPL 2026 auction, kept working hard only to find a place in KKR as a replacement player. He underwent trials and impressed one and all, which made the franchise pick him as a replacement for Harshit Rana, who was ruled out even before the tournament started. 

Saini didn’t get many opportunities, but he was there through every thick and thin the franchise underwent. From six losses to winning six out of the next eight games, KKR made a terrific comeback. They were even looking like favourites to qualify for the playoffs; however, a loss in the final game and Rajasthan Royals’ win over Mumbai Indians saw them missing out on a playoff spot.

As the air of IPL is over, Navdeep Saini, in an exclusive interview with Khel Now, talked about KKR’s campaign and what the atmosphere was like in the team. 

Giving an insight into the same, he pointed out how, despite the losses, everything in the dressing room was jolly and how everyone was still focused on improving. He said: 

“To be honest, after losing the first six matches, I didn’t expect the atmosphere in the team to be that good. Usually, when team losses six matches, there are a lot of ifs and buts inside the dressing room, players are divided into different groups, fingers are pointed at each other. 

“But at KKR, nothing was as such inside our camp. Everyone was enjoying themselves despite tough times, but the focus of players and team management was on how to do better.”

“Lougo ka kaam hai bolna” – Navdeep Saini on critics surrounding Ajnkya Rahane

It was a roller-coaster ride for KKR in IPL 2026. However, despite the wins and losses, captain Ajinkya Rahane was at the forefront of criticism. The senior batter seemed to be the scapegoat, with almost everyone lashing out at him for poor batting as well as leadership. Not only this, there were calls as well to remove him as captain. 

However, according to Navdeep Saini, there were not much flaws in Ajinkya Rahane’s captaincy, and he should be the one leading KKR in IPL 2027. He said: 

“His captaincy was very good. There were talks that he should drop himself after the first six games, but all those talks got shut down when we won the next games. “Lougo ka kaam hai bolna”, but his leadership was terrific. 

“Rahane is a veteran player; he has seen lots of ups and downs in his career. He had conversations with young players who didn’t get an opportunity. He and the team management ensured that no players went into the shell and everyone put the team forward. 

“I believe Rahane should continue as a captain next year as well. He alone didn’t lose six games; the entire team lost it. He should be backed, and it is very easy for people to talk nonsense about the players.”

“Khud pe zada ghuman nai krna chaiye” – Navdeep Saini on PBKS controversy

KKR were also the uninvited guest in controversies surrounding Punjab Kings, rather, it all started after the KKR vs PBKS game. After the match between the two teams got washed out, the social media team of PBKS made a video, trolling KKR, which didn’t go well with many. 

PBKS, who were at the top of the points table for the first half of the season, failed to qualify for the playoffs. Many blamed their  “attitude” as the reason behind their downfall, and Saini too didn’t shy away from giving it back to the Punjab-based franchise.

In a subtle dig, he stated that “Khud pe zada ghuman nai krna chaiye” before concluding by saying that “at the end everyone knew what happened.” He said:

“Whatever others said about us, in the end, everyone knew the result. At the time of the controversy, if we had reacted then, the fun that is today wouldn’t have been there. You shouldn’t say anything about other teams; every player plays to make their team win. “Khud pe zada ghuman nai krna chaiye, ki humne yeh kr diya humne vo kr diya.” See at the end what happened, where you were and where you ended.”

Despite losing six games, KKR finished at the seventh spot in points table with six wins and 13 points to their name. Saini featured in two games but failed to take a single wicket; however, with the kind of backing that the management gave to their players, there are chances that they will retain Saini for next season. KKR, no doubt, will be one of best competitors for title in IPL 2027, considering the talent and potential that they have.

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