KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane delivered a brutally honest assessment after his team’s surprising 16-run defeat to Punjab Kings (PBKS) on April 15 in Mullanpur. Chasing just 112, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) crumbled to 95 all out, losing their last eight wickets for only 33 runs.
This collapse stunned fans and left Rahane visibly disappointed.
“We Batted Badly”: Rahane’s Candid Take
Speaking after the game, Ajinkya Rahane didn’t shy away from criticism. He took full responsibility for the defeat, admitting, “I played a wrong shot. The ball missed the stumps, but that’s no excuse. We batted really badly.”
He added that the team was too reckless, especially considering the low target.
“We had the game in our hands. But we didn’t show patience. We didn’t play smart cricket,” Rahane said during the post-match presentation.
Bowlers Did Their Job, But Batters Fell Short
KKR’s bowlers were in top form. They restricted Punjab Kings to just 111 runs, thanks to tight spells from both pacers and spinners. It was a pitch that offered help to bowlers, but the chase should have been comfortable.
Rahane praised the bowling unit, calling their performance “outstanding.” But the batting group, he admitted, “didn’t apply themselves.”
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Shot Selection and Confidence Key for Comeback
Looking ahead, Ajinkya Rahane emphasized the need to regain confidence and improve shot selection. He urged his teammates to stick to cricketing basics:
“We need to play cricketing shots and keep the intent. It’s important not to panic when the target is small.”
The skipper also stressed staying positive, especially with half of the IPL 2025 season still to go.
What’s Next for KKR?
After this defeat, KKR will now focus on their upcoming match against Gujarat Titans (GT) on April 21. It will be a crucial clash as the team tries to regain momentum and fix the issues Rahane highlighted.
With plenty of matches left, there’s still time for KKR to bounce back. But as Rahane made clear, that will require better execution, discipline, and calm under pressure.
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A Wake-Up Call for KKR
This defeat may serve as a much-needed wake-up call for the Kolkata side. While the loss hurts, Rahane’s honest comments show leadership and intent to course-correct. If the team takes his words seriously, there’s still a strong chance to turn things around.
For now, though, Ajinkya Rahane and the KKR squad will need to regroup, reflect, and return stronger against GT.
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