Eight matches, 5 defeats, three wins. This is enough to sum up Kolkata Knight Riders’ performance in the IPL 2025. The defending champions will have to win their remaining six games to compete in the playoffs. However, it looks like a distant dream after their shortcomings so far. Kolkata failed to chase down a 111-run target against the Punjab Kings in one of the matches. In other contests, the batters have thrown away their wickets, while the bowlers are lacking consistency. Captain Ajinkya Rahane has fallen short of expectations and is finding it hard to lead a franchise.
Their batting order has become a mystery, with Andre Russell facing less than 50 balls. Angkrish Raghuvanshi, the top-order batter, was sent at the No.9 slot in the previous match against the Gujarat Titans at the Eden Gardens. The team management is going in with nine batters, but still, the totals posted are below par, and there is no proper planning during run-chases.
Meanwhile, Suresh Raina is backing PBKS to beat KKR in the upcoming match on April 26 in Kolkata. “Punjab Kings have been clinical outside their home. They have the momentum with them. KKR’s batting order is not right. For me, Punjab will win the match against Kolkata,” Raina said.
Aakash Chopra urged the Knight Riders to give their batters a license to go for the kill. “When you have this kind of batting order, you should give your batters a license to kill. You can’t hold them back. Angkrish batted at No. 9 in the last game. There is no planning for Andre Russell. If they don’t solve this mess against Punjab, Shreyas Iyer’s team will emerge victorious at the Eden Gardens,” he said.
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