NEW DELHI: Ajinkya Rahane praised his staff’s composure and skilled stars after Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Mumbai Indians by 4 wickets to remain alive within the IPL 2026 playoff race.Rahane was particularly delighted with the efforts of veteran spinner Sunil Narine and thriller spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, whose disciplined bowling helped KKR hold Mumbai beneath strain all through the innings.“That was actually necessary, I used to be actually proud of the way in which Varun and Sunil had been bowling,” Rahane stated after the win at Eden Gardens.The KKR skipper additionally reserved particular reward for skilled batter Manish Pandey, who anchored the chase with a relaxed 45-run knock in a strain recreation.“Actually blissful for Manish, his work ethic and angle, it’s not simple if you find yourself not taking part in repeatedly. In the present day’s knock I’m very blissful and every member is blissful for Manish,” Rahane added.KKR’s victory got here after their bowlers restricted MI to 147/8 regardless of a late cameo from Corbin Bosch. Through the chase, Manish Pandey and Rovman Powell stitched collectively a vital partnership earlier than Rinku Singh sealed the win.Rahane stated KKR’s current enchancment has come from specializing in one recreation at a time as an alternative of wanting too far forward within the match.“What has labored for us within the final 6-7 video games is being within the second and taking it one recreation at a time,” he stated.The win retains Kolkata firmly within the playoff race heading into the ultimate levels of the league season.