“Nothing to express. We all saw what happened there.” Ajinkya Rahane’s word, laden with a captain’s burden, echoed the mistrust felt by a captain Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Team.
Chasing 112 for a win, KKR was comfortably placed at 71 for 3 in 9.1 overs, but suffered a sensational collapse to take them out for 95 in 15.1 overs.
In a match where the victory was assured, KKR succumbed to an inexplicable collapse, gifted Punjab Kings for a historic victory. Living, once a Stoic leader, was convicted. “I will blame as the captain of the team. I played the wrong shot, it was missing but still I will blame.”
“Angakish Raghuvanshi was not very certain, he said that perhaps it could be an umpire call. I was not sure and it was a discussion.”
KKR captain Rahane organized the innings together with Raghuvanshi for some time, digging in his huge domestic and international experience.
Rahane was in his best form, when he represented a furlette Half-Wolley directly to six for six, which took his side to 55 to 2 at the end of the powerplay.
“As long as I was batting there, we were thinking about 2 points. The wicket was not so easy, 111 was still tight. We really batted badly. The bowlers did really good on the surface to restrict a strong Punjab batting line-up for 111,” he said.
KKR lost seven wickets and then scored just 24 runs in six overs.
“You need to be convinced as a person. When we were batting, it was very difficult to play the sweep. Let the ball come and then take your opportunity. Play the cricketing shots and continue this intention. We were a little careless and we need to take full responsibility as a batting unit,” said Rahane.
“A lot of things are going on in my head. It’s very early. It was an easy pursuit for us. When I go up, I will try to keep myself really calm and then I will see what to talk to the boys. Half of the tournament is still left. We need to have a good brand and play a good brand of cricket. At the same time I would like to address the goods and move forward.”
Get the latest IPL 2025 update on Times of India, including match schedule, team squad, points table and IPL Live Score for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBK and RR. Do not remember the list of players in the race for IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple Cap.
