Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) continued to struggle with their batting in IPL 2025, as they were handed a 39-run defeat by Gujarat Titans at Eden Gardens. After failing to chase down a 199-run target, KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane took responsibility for the team’s batting issues, pointing to the lack of good starts from the openers as a key reason behind the defeat.
KKR’s Struggle with the Bat
In the match against Gujarat Titans, KKR made a change to their opening combination by resting Quinton de Kock and bringing in Rahmanullah Gurbaz. However, this move backfired as Gurbaz was dismissed for just 1, and Sunil Narine followed soon after for 17, leaving KKR struggling early in the chase.
Rahane, however, fought hard, scoring a battling half-century off 36 balls, but he received little support from the other batsmen. The middle-order failed to capitalize on his efforts, with Venkatesh Iyer (14), Andre Russell (21), and Rinku Singh (17) also falling short. As a result, KKR finished their chase at 159/8, well short of the target.
Rahane’s Take on KKR’s Batting and Fielding Failures
After the match, Rahane acknowledged that the team’s batting struggles have been a consistent issue throughout the season. “When you’re chasing 199, you expect a good opening start with the batters, that’s where we are struggling throughout this tournament,” Rahane said. He emphasized the need for a better performance from the opening pair to give the team a solid foundation to build on.
Despite the struggles, Rahane didn’t shy away from backing his middle-order batsmen, stating, “We’ve got quality batters in the middle order, and I back them completely. It’s just a matter of time, and things will change.”
Rahane also pointed out the fielding lapses in the game, including dropped catches that allowed Gujarat’s batters to score freely. “Fielding is something we can control. If we save 10-15 runs, that’s always better for the team,” he added.
Rahane’s Confidence in the Team
While Rahane was critical of the team’s recent performances, he also expressed confidence in his players’ abilities. “If you’re not doing well, even if we get 1% better as a team, that’s very important,” Rahane said. “We need to be brave, take chances, and maintain a positive mindset.”
KKR’s next matches are crucial, and Rahane is hoping that the team will bounce back soon. “As a batting unit, we need to bat better in the middle overs, and with time, we’ll get there,” he concluded.
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