Chandrakant Pandit, the former coach of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has come to the defense of captain Ajinkya Rahane, who has faced criticism for his performance as a T20 batter. Despite KKR's struggles this season, Pandit believes that Rahane has been fulfilling his role effectively. He noted that Rahane's approach as an opener involves stabilizing the innings after the powerplay, which may not always align with aggressive batting expectations. Pandit acknowledged the pressure Rahane faces as captain but emphasized that fluctuations in performance are normal in cricket. He drew parallels between Rahane's style and that of players like Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad, highlighting their composed and adaptable batting techniques. Ultimately, Pandit stressed the importance of balance within the team, where different players have distinct roles, including power hitters like Rovman Powell who are expected to accelerate scoring.