Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) skipper Ajinkya Rahane opened up about his costly decision to not review an LBW dismissal during the IPL 2025 match against Punjab Kings (PBKS), which ended in a stunning defeat for his side. Chasing just 112, KKR collapsed under pressure, handing Punjab a much-needed win.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Rahane took full responsibility for the DRS error and admitted that communication with non-striker Angkrish Raghuvanshi was unclear.
“Communication Wasn’t Clear,” Says Rahane
“It was not clear enough to take the review,” said Rahane. “I thought of saving it for later. But looking back, a more confident call from the non-striker could’ve changed things.”
The skipper’s decision not to use the DRS on his LBW dismissal proved to be pivotal in the context of the match.
Poor Batting, Not Just One Decision
Rahane didn’t shy away from pointing fingers at the overall batting failure. “We didn’t bat well as a unit. I take full responsibility as captain,” he said. “The pitch wasn’t unplayable, but we lacked game awareness. You don’t win T20s by only hitting sixes—you win by reading the pitch.”
KKR Batters Lacked Game Awareness
KKR were bundled out cheaply, and Rahane labeled his team’s approach as “reckless” rather than aggressive.
“It’s about playing smart cricket. We were not complacent, but we lacked the game sense required for such a chase,” he added. “The sweep shots were risky on that wicket, and we didn’t adapt.”
Not Complacency, But Lack of Execution
When asked whether the team underestimated Punjab’s low score, Rahane said, “We weren’t overconfident or complacent. We just didn’t apply ourselves. Singles would’ve made a big difference.”
Looking Ahead
With the tournament nearing its halfway stage, Rahane emphasized staying calm and regrouping. “There’s still time. We need to stay positive, but we must also address the flaws. I’ll speak to the boys once I’ve calmed down,” he said.
KKR will now have to bounce back quickly and reassess their batting strategy as they chase a playoff spot in IPL 2025.
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