Ajinkya Rahane Reflects on KKR’s IPL 2025 Struggles: Batting Woes and Venkatesh Iyer’s Redemption
In a candid press conference in New Delhi, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Ajinkya Rahane dissected his team’s inconsistent IPL 2025 campaign, pointing fingers at a faltering batting unit while lauding the bowlers for their commendable efforts. After a crushing 110-run defeat that marked the end of their season, Rahane’s assessment was both introspective and forward-looking, offering fans a glimpse into the challenges of defending a title.
“This season has been a rollercoaster for us. We had our opportunities, but as a batting unit, we simply didn’t deliver consistently,” Rahane admitted. “Close matches define campaigns. Games against Punjab Kings, Lucknow Super Giants, and Chennai Super Kings could have tipped the balance if we’d seized the moment. As defending champions, expectations were sky-high, but I’m proud that every player gave their all. We’ll come back stronger next year.”
Defending Venkatesh Iyer Amid Price Tag Pressure
One of the season’s biggest talking points has been Venkatesh Iyer, who returned to KKR for a staggering Rs 23.75 crore in the IPL auction after being released initially. Named vice-captain, expectations were immense, but Iyer managed only 142 runs in 11 matches, inviting criticism over his form and the hefty investment. Rahane, however, stood firmly by his teammate.
“Whether a player costs Rs 20 crore or Rs 2 crore, the attitude on the field must remain unchanged—and Venkatesh’s did,” Rahane asserted. “He trained hard, stayed committed during matches, and always looked to contribute. His attitude was fantastic. One off-season can happen to anyone. It’s not about the money or pressure; it’s about form and team dynamics. Unfortunately, three or four of our key players hit a rough patch simultaneously, and that hurt us.”
Batting Blues: Rahane’s Personal Take
As KKR’s leading run-scorer with 390 runs in 13 matches (one washed out), Rahane reflected on the mental burden of expectations. “After a couple of good seasons, you sometimes expect too much from yourself, and that adds unnecessary pressure,” he explained. “It’s human nature. You’ve performed well, people expect miracles, and you overthink instead of playing your natural game. Two or three of our key batters faced this, but it’s a learning curve for us all.”
Despite the struggles, Rahane remains optimistic about the future. “Players like Rinku Singh and Ramandeep Singh have the experience to bounce back. They’ll return stronger,” he assured. Addressing his own role, Rahane, who smashed 469 runs at a strike rate of 164 as an opener in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Mumbai, defended his middle-order position at KKR. “I’d love to open, but it’s about team needs. With Quinton de Kock fixed as opener and Sunil Narine’s explosive starts last season, Angkrish Raghuvanshi and I adapted to numbers 3 and 4. We didn’t want to disrupt a winning combination.”
Bowlers Shine Amid Batting Collapse
While the batting faltered, KKR’s bowling unit earned high praise from Rahane. Varun Chakravarthy and Vaibhav Arora finished in the top ten of the Purple Cap race with 17 wickets each, while breakout star Harshit Rana claimed 15 scalps. “Harshit has been exceptional, both for India and us, but transitioning from high-intensity international games to IPL is challenging. It’s not an excuse, but it’s a factor,” Rahane noted.
On Chakravarthy, who also starred in the Champions Trophy, Rahane added, “Such tournaments take a toll on body and mind. Despite that, our bowlers—Harshit, Varun, Sunil Narine, and Vaibhav—were incredibly clear in their approach. That clarity was encouraging and gives us a strong foundation to build on for next season.”
As KKR packs up for IPL 2025, Rahane’s words strike a balance of accountability and hope. The batting may have crumbled under pressure, but with a potent bowling attack and lessons learned, the two-time champions are poised to return with renewed grit. For now, fans can only wait for the auction and the promise of a resurgent Knights in 2026.