KKR vs RR, IPL 2025: Will Ajinkya Rahane Play For Kolkata Knight Riders Against Rajasthan Royals Today?

Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will be sweating on the fitness and availability of skipper Ajinkya Rahane heading into the crucial IPL 2025 clash against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday (May 4).

Rahane, who took over the reins of the reigning champs at the start of the season, left the field with a hand injury during KKR's 14-run victory over Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi earlier in the week.

The 36-year-old injured his finger when trying to stop a ball hit towards extra cover area by Faf Du Plessis in the 12th over bowled by Andre Russell. With Venkatesh Iyer also out of the field, making way for the Impact Substitute, Sunil Narine took charge for the remainder of DC's run chase.

Narine led from the front, picking up two wickets in the same over and marshalled his troops to their fourth win of the season. After the match, Rahane had said there is nothing much to worry about his injury although the hand seemed heavily strapped.

"(on his injured hand) Not bad. I will be okay. I will be fine," Rahane had said at the post-match presentation ceremony after KKR successfully defending 204 by restricting DC to 190/9 in their allotted 20 overs.

Despite his assurance of nothing much to worry, there was cause for concern in the KKR ranks as Rahane is the leading run-scorer for the team this season with 297 runs including 3 fifties in 9 innings at a strike rate of 149.24.

With KKR in much-need of a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, Rahane's availability to lead the team and assist on the run-scoring will be key for the reigning champions. So, will the Indian batter feature today? Here is the latest on Rahane fitness update:

Will Ajinkya Rahane play for Kolkata Knight Riders against Rajasthan Royals?

Ajinkya Rahane injury update: According to his teammate and West Indies batter Rovman Powell, the Mumbai cricketer is improving and could be fit and available for this afternoon's clash vs RR. Powell shared positive news about the possibility of Captain Ajinkya Rahane's availability after a recent injury.

"He has shown progressive improvement over the last few days. That is a good sign going into tomorrow. It's important for us to have him--he's our captain, he's been one of our batters who have been a shining light throughout the competition," Powell had said on the eve of KKR vs RR.

If he does pass the fitness test, Rahane will straight away return to the playing 11. But if he fails to recover in time for Sunday's match, Angkrish Raghuvanhi could replace him as the number three batter, while Venkatesh Ier will lead the side.

Rahane and Co will look to add another win to their kitty with an hope to keep their title defence alive when they play their remaining three league stage matches this season.

KKR are currently seventh with 9 points following four wins, five defeats and one no result, and could reach 17 points if they manage to win all their remaining games - Royal Challengers, Lucknow Super Giants and Punjab Kings.