The feat of KKR’s defeat: Question on batting, focus on bowling|
In IPL 2025, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) faced Gujarat Titans (GT), but the result did not go in their favor. Ajinkya Rahane said after the match that he has no complaint with the bowlers – the real problem is in their bowling. Gujarat Titans had put up a strong total of 198/3. But from KKR’s side, it was only till 159/8, and GT won by 39 runs.
Rahane’s statement: “199 could have been chased”
After the match, Rahane said: “199 was worth chasing. We made a good comeback with the ball. But batting was messed up again. The struggles have been going on since the opening day in this tournament. Bowlers did well, but batsmen will have to be found and will have to improve quickly.” He said that the opening stand is their biggest problem this year.
Bravo opened up about the condition of the team: “Confidence has been lost”
Mentor Dwayne Bravo also said: “The team’s confidence has been lost.” He said that batting is their biggest issue, not just Andre Russell’s form.
“Not only Russell, the whole batting unit is struggling. When you don’t start the tournament well, the players get mentally under pressure. We are supporting them, but the truth is that the confidence is missing.”
Breakdown of the opening pair
Rahane and Bravo both accepted that the opening is failing this season. In this match, the pair of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sunil Narine could only survive for 5 balls. The average of the opening partnership is only 19 which is the lowest in this IPL.
Mismanagement of the middle order?
No other batsman stood out except Rahane. His 36 ball 50 was a lone fight. While Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who was in form, was sent to number 9 as an impact player. Bravo said:
“Angkrish had to be sent down because we wanted to create a left-right combo. When chasing a target of 200, such combinations have to be used.”
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Has the time come to face the truth?
Bravo admitted that the team batsmen are struggling with both form and confidence: “Runs bring confidence late, and form brings confidence but right now both are missing in the players. But there is no lack in their practice. All the players are working hard.”
Rahane’s Vishwas: “It will take time, but the team will return”
Captain Rahane supported his batsmen and said: “One has to be brave in the T20 format. Whatever happens, it increases the age of forgetting. If you play with the fear of getting out, you will get out. Think about runs and boundaries. I have faith that our batsmen will go ahead and perform.”
