KKR’s batting criticised as GT loss leaves them playing catch-up with fives losses in their eight games played.
KKR’s batting has once again come under fire after their second under-par showing in a row saw them fail to chase 199 against GT.
Their fifth loss in eight games was caused by their struggling batting squad, according to captain Ajinkya Rahane, who has “no complaints” about the bowlers. Going one step further, KKR coach Dwayne Bravo claimed that the reigning champions had “lost confidence.”
Following KKR’s decision to bowl, Gujarat Titans (GT) scored 198 for 3. In response, KKR was completely destroyed and lost by 39 runs after scoring 159 for 8.
“I thought 199 was chasable, I thought we came back into the game really well with the ball,” Rahane told the host broadcaster after the game. “When you are chasing 199, you expect a good opening start with the batters, that’s what we are struggling [with] throughout this tournament. We bowled really well, we faltered with the batting, but we need to learn as quickly as possible and then keep going.”
When asked about Andre Russell’s comebacks in the 2025 IPL (55 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 119.56), Bravo reiterated his remarks during the press conference.
“We as a team didn’t bat properly. That’s just the reality. Russell isn’t the only one struggling right now. We need to keep the players mentally focused but IPL is that kind of tournament that when you don’t start well, batsmen go into a period where they’ve lost confidence. That’s what’s happening at the moment.”
“When Russell walks in to bat every time, the run rate is at 14-15. The work needs to be done at the top so that he has a chance to finish the game like he’s accustomed to at KKR. He’s been out to legspinners a few times but that’s not a concern. We just need to bat better so he can finish games.”