Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor Dwayne Bravo has voiced his frustration with the team’s top-order performance after a series of disappointing results in the IPL 2025 season. Despite Andre Russell’s renowned power-hitting capabilities, the all-rounder has found himself struggling with the bat, particularly against spinners like Sai Kishore and Rashid Khan. However, Bravo stressed that Russell’s recent struggles are not the root of KKR’s issues.
Russell’s Struggles Are Part of a Bigger Problem
Russell’s performance in the ongoing season has been far from his usual destructive self. His highest score, a mere 21 off 15 balls, came in a match against Gujarat Titans, where he was unable to capitalize on the opportunity against wrist spinners. Although his struggles with leg-spin have been highlighted, Bravo pointed out that it is not just Russell who is struggling, but the entire KKR batting lineup.
“In a couple of games, the leg-spinners got him out, but I don’t think we are batting well as a team. Russell is not the only one struggling,” Bravo said. “As a group, we need to prepare better. IPL is a tough tournament, and if the top-order doesn’t perform, it can hurt the whole team.”
Top-Order Issues: A Major Setback for KKR
Bravo emphasized that it’s the responsibility of the top-order to provide a solid foundation, allowing the finishers, like Russell and Rinku Singh, to come in and do what they do best. He acknowledged that when Russell walks to the crease, the required run rate is usually at 14 or 15 runs per over, making his job much harder. He also remarked that the team needs to back their top-order players to step up and play with more aggression, particularly in the powerplay.
“We need to bat better, especially in the top-order. When Russell comes in, it’s already a difficult situation. The middle order and finishers need better starts from the top,” Bravo stated.
Rahane Admits to Top-Order Failures
KKR’s top-order woes were evident once again in their recent match against Gujarat Titans, where the team could only manage 159/8 in pursuit of a 199-run target. Captain Ajinkya Rahane, despite scoring a half-century, admitted that the team’s top-order performance has been subpar throughout the season.
“I thought 199 was chaseable. We came back into the game really well with the ball, but we need better opening starts. That’s something we’ve been struggling with all season,” Rahane admitted in the post-match presentation.
Looking Ahead: A Call for Immediate Improvement
KKR’s bowlers have shown steady improvement, but Rahane admitted that the batting group hasn’t contributed enough to the team’s cause. The team is now focusing on ensuring that their batsmen take responsibility and deliver much-needed starts, especially with the pressure mounting in the IPL 2025.
With several crucial matches left, KKR must address these batting issues quickly to avoid another disappointing season. Bravo and Rahane both know that if KKR is to bounce back in this season, their top-order must rise to the occasion and set the platform for their finishers.
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