Introduction: The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), champions of IPL 2024, faced a shocking downturn in the 2025 season, missing the playoffs as defending champions. While several factors contributed to their underwhelming campaign, one name repeatedly surfaces in discussions—Gautam Gambhir. The mentor who masterminded their 2024 triumph and previously led KKR to titles in 2012 and 2014 as captain was absent this year. Did the team lose the ‘thrill factor’ that Gambhir brought to the table? Let’s dive deep into KKR’s struggles, backed by insights from players and experts, to uncover what went wrong for the purple and gold brigade.
The Gambhir Effect in 2024: Last season, under Gambhir’s mentorship, KKR was a juggernaut. With only two losses, nine wins, and two no-results, they topped the league stage with 20 points and a staggering net run rate of +1.428. Their dominance continued into the playoffs, culminating in a well-deserved title. Gambhir’s return to KKR after years away reignited a fire in the squad, transforming them from underdogs to champions. As former KKR opener and 2012 title hero Manvinder Bisla told TimesofIndia.com, “When Gautam came back, no one predicted KKR in the top four. Yet, under his guidance, they became champions. His winning mentality is unmatched.”
IPL 2025: A Season of Change and Challenges: Fast forward to IPL 2025, and the landscape looked drastically different. Two critical changes defined KKR’s campaign—captain Shreyas Iyer, who led them to glory in 2024, was no longer with the squad, and Gambhir had moved on from his mentorship role. In their place, KKR appointed Ajinkya Rahane as captain, acquired for ₹1.5 crore at the auction. Despite Rahane’s vast experience, the team failed to replicate the magic of the previous year. Pacer Harshit Rana summed up the sentiment before a match against Delhi Capitals, saying, “There was a thrill factor I miss a little. Gautam has an aura in the way he carries the team forward.”
Why Gambhir’s Absence Hurt KKR: Bisla elaborated on why Gambhir’s departure left such a void. “Gautam doesn’t rely on big names. He backs players—whether uncapped or international—who he believes can win matches. He creates an environment of trust, giving players like Mitchell Starc time to find their form, even after underwhelming league stages in 2024. Starc eventually shone in the playoffs, justifying Gambhir’s faith with a match-defining spell in Mumbai.” Bisla also noted that Gambhir’s track record speaks for itself—every team he has mentored, including Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in prior seasons, reached the playoffs. Since his departure from LSG, they too have struggled, mirroring KKR’s 2025 plight.
A Season Lacking Momentum: KKR’s 2025 campaign never truly took off. As Bisla pointed out, “They won one, lost one—there was never a phase of 2–3 consecutive wins to build that winning spirit. The intent in the middle overs was completely missing, and it showed all season.” Without a consistent run of victories, the belief that they could turn games around—a hallmark of their 2024 success—evaporated. The absence of Gambhir’s tactical acumen and ability to instill confidence in uncapped talent further compounded their woes.
Conclusion: The IPL 2025 season has been a harsh reality check for Kolkata Knight Riders. Losing key figures like Gautam Gambhir and Shreyas Iyer disrupted the balance and morale of a squad that had tasted ultimate success just a year prior. As Harshit Rana’s words echo, the ‘thrill factor’ that Gambhir brought was indeed missing. Moving forward, KKR must rediscover that spark—whether through strategic leadership hires or by fostering a new winning mentality. For now, the question remains: Can KKR reclaim their glory without Gambhir’s golden touch? Only time will tell, but this season has proven that some auras are hard to replace.