Young batter Angkrish Raghuvanshi grabbed attention with a brilliant century during a practice match for Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of IPL 2026.
His performance at Eden Gardens has created an interesting selection dilemma for team captain Ajinkya Rahane and the KKR coaching staff as the tournament approaches.
Raghuvanshi’s Century at No. 3
During an intra-squad practice match, the 21-year-old batter played an outstanding innings while batting at number three.
Raghuvanshi remained unbeaten on 103 runs from just 55 balls. His innings included nine fours and five sixes as his team chased a target of 200 runs.
The chase was completed in 19.2 overs, but the highlight of the match was Raghuvanshi’s confident batting at the crucial No. 3 position.
Raghuvanshi Practice Match Performance
| Detail | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Runs | 103* |
| Balls Faced | 55 |
| Fours | 9 |
| Sixes | 5 |
| Batting Position | No. 3 |
| Match Result | Target of 200 chased in 19.2 overs |
His innings showed both patience and attacking ability, making a strong case for a regular place in the playing XI.
How Raghuvanshi Built His Innings
Raghuvanshi started the innings carefully, allowing other batters to take risks in the early overs.
After settling in, he increased the scoring rate during the middle overs. He played confidently against both pace and spin and found boundaries regularly.
By the time he reached his eighties, the chase was already under control.
Other players also contributed during the match. Finn Allen provided a quick start, while Anukul Roy helped finish the chase.
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Why This Century Matters for KKR
Last season, KKR struggled with their middle-order batting and finished eighth in the IPL points table.
A player who can anchor the innings at number three and also accelerate the scoring rate could help solve this issue.
Raghuvanshi has previously said he is comfortable batting at different positions, which gives the team more flexibility while deciding their lineup.
Selection Dilemma for KKR Captain Rahane
The team management now faces a difficult decision about their batting order.
KKR have several strong options at the top of the order, including players who can open the batting and others who can play in the middle.
Possible Batting Options for KKR
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Finn Allen | Opening batter |
| Tim Seifert | Opening batter and wicketkeeper |
| Sunil Narine | All-rounder and opening option |
| Cameron Green | All-rounder |
| Rachin Ravindra | Batting all-rounder |
| Tejasvi Dahiya | Wicketkeeper option |
With so many options available, the team must decide where each player fits best in the batting lineup.
One possible plan is to allow Raghuvanshi to bat at number three, while other players adjust their positions accordingly.
KKR Batting Statistics Since Raghuvanshi’s Debut
The following table shows the leading run scorers for KKR since Raghuvanshi made his debut.
| Player | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate | Fifties | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunil Narine | 25 | 732 | 109 | 30.50 | 178.53 | 3 | 75 | 52 |
| Venkatesh Iyer | 19 | 505 | 70 | 36.07 | 153.03 | 5 | 49 | 23 |
| Angkrish Raghuvanshi | 18 | 463 | 54 | 28.93 | 144.68 | 2 | 46 | 16 |
| Ajinkya Rahane | 12 | 390 | 61 | 35.45 | 147.72 | 3 | 36 | 20 |
| Phil Salt | 11 | 381 | 89* | 38.10 | 191.45 | 3 | 47 | 21 |
These numbers show that Raghuvanshi has already been an important contributor to the team.
KKR Preparing for IPL 2026 Opener
The biggest challenge for the KKR management right now is deciding the best playing combination before the first match.
The team will start their IPL 2026 campaign against Mumbai Indians on March 29.
Head coach Abhishek Nayar and the coaching staff are currently evaluating the squad to find the best batting order.
Raghuvanshi’s impressive century has strengthened his chances of getting a major role in the team.
If he continues this form, KKR may consider giving him the No. 3 position in the starting lineup.
The final decision will depend on how the team balances its experienced players with rising young talent ahead of the IPL 2026 season.
