In IPL 2025 Ajinkya Rahane Blames Batting Failures for KKR’s Disappointing Finish. Kolkata, May 26, 2025 – Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Ajinkya Rahane has attributed the team’s underwhelming eighth-place finish in the 2025 IPL season to poor batting displays by key players, including Rinku Singh and Andre Russell. Despite entering the season as defending champions, KKR failed to make the playoffs, securing only five wins in 14 matches.
In a candid post-match press conference after KKR’s crushing 110-run loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rahane admitted that a collective batting failure cost them dearly.
“Three or four of our main batters were out of form this season. As a batting unit, we just couldn’t perform consistently,” said Rahane. “Our bowlers did well, but our batting group failed to deliver.”
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IPL 2025 Star Players Struggle at Crucial Moments
IPL 2025: The 2024 title-winning side relied heavily on contributions from Russell, Rinku Singh, Venkatesh Iyer, and Ramandeep Singh. But in 2025, all four experienced significant drops in form. Iyer averaged 20.28, Russell just 18.55, Rinku 29.42, and Ramandeep only 9.40 – a stark contrast to their performance during KKR’s championship run last year.
“Unfortunately, a few players were going through a rough patch. They’re experienced enough to handle it, and I’m confident they’ll bounce back stronger next season,” Rahane added, offering support to the struggling stars.
Highs and Lows in a Rollercoaster Campaign
IPL 2025 KKR’s season ended on a sour note against Sunrisers Hyderabad, who posted a mammoth 278/3 – the third-highest total in IPL history – with Heinrich Klaasen smashing a 37-ball century. In response, KKR were bowled out for 168, highlighting their batting woes yet again.
However, Rahane believes the real turning points came earlier in the tournament. “The losses against Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants hurt us the most,” he said. KKR failed to chase down 112 against Punjab and narrowly lost to Lucknow by four runs while chasing 239 – both matches that could have gone in their favor.
Rain also played spoilsport in two fixtures, leaving KKR with just 10 points at the end of the group stage.
Defending the Title Is Never Easy, Says Rahane
Reflecting on the season IPL 2025, Rahane acknowledged the pressures that come with defending an IPL title.
“It’s never easy to come back as champions and perform at the same level. There’s always added pressure and expectations,” Rahane said. “As a team, we gave our best. We’ll regroup, learn from our mistakes, and come back stronger next year.”
He also noted that self-imposed pressure may have impacted individual performances. “When you have had good seasons, you tend to expect more from yourself. That adds pressure. But I believe our players will learn and grow from this experience,” he said.
Venkatesh Iyer’s Price Tag Not the Problem
Venkatesh Iyer was one of the most talked-about names at the IPL 2025 auction, re-signed by KKR for a staggering Rs 23.75 crore using the Right To Match card. However, his performance didn’t match the investment.
Rahane, though, dismissed any notion that the price tag impacted Iyer’s game.
“Whether a player earns Rs 3 crore or Rs 20 crore, it shouldn’t affect their attitude or effort. Iyer gave his best. One off-season doesn’t define a player,” Rahane said in defense of the left-hander.
Bowling Unit Earns Praise
While the batting faltered, Rahane was full of praise for the KKR bowling attack. He highlighted the consistent efforts of Sunil Narine, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, and Vaibhav Arora.
“Wickets were batter-friendly this season, but our bowlers kept things tight. Their planning and execution were spot on,” he said.
Looking Ahead
With the IPL 2025 season now behind them, the Knight Riders are expected to review their squad and performance before the next edition. Rahane remains optimistic about a stronger comeback.
“There’s a lot to reflect on. The lessons we’ve learned this year will help us come back as a more balanced and confident side,” the skipper concluded.
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