The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) must regroup and eliminate errors as they strive to salvage their IPL 2025 season against the high-flying Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday. KKR need to win all five of their remaining matches to bolster their playoff chances, while DC, with six wins in nine games, are vying for a top-two spot.
The defending champions have struggled with both bat and ball this season. KKR’s batting inconsistencies have disappointed fans throughout the campaign, but a major setback has been their inability to take wickets in the powerplay, especially their spinners.
Among KKR’s batters, only Ajinkya Rahane (271 runs) has performed consistently. Quinton de Kock was dropped after scoring just 143 runs in seven games, and his replacement, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, has managed only two runs in two appearances. Rinku Singh, KKR’s top retention, has scored 133 runs in nine games, while Venkatesh Iyer, acquired for Rs 23.75 crore, has 135 runs. KKR’s talisman Andre Russell has contributed just 55 runs, and last season’s MVP, Sunil Narine, has scored 151 runs. Youngster Angkrish Raghuvanshi has shown promise with 197 runs, but must start winning matches to take his game to the next level.
While KKR’s batting has been a major letdown, their bowling has also failed to deliver, particularly in the powerplay. In 10 matches, KKR bowlers have taken just seven powerplay wickets. At Eden Gardens this season, they have claimed only three powerplay wickets—all against SunRisers Hyderabad, in a match they won. In other home games, opponents posted strong powerplay scores: RCB (80/0), Lucknow Super Giants (60/0), Gujarat Titans (45/0), and Punjab Kings (56/0). KKR secured victory only against Hyderabad, and early wickets made the difference.
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In Guwahati against Rajasthan Royals (RR), KKR took just one powerplay wicket, but Moeen Ali’s economical spell, RR’s baffling batting order, and de Kock’s splendid 97 not out secured a win. At the Wankhede Stadium against Mumbai Indians, KKR managed only the wicket of an out-of-form Rohit Sharma in the powerplay. Against CSK, Narine’s middle-overs spell (3/13 in 4 overs) and his 18-ball 44 in the 104-run chase stole the show.
Against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur, KKR claimed three powerplay wickets and bowled them out for 111 before suffering an unforgettable collapse while chasing. In the return leg at Eden Gardens, Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh stitched a 120-run opening stand before rain washed out the second innings.
The lack of powerplay wickets is not the only issue; KKR’s bowlers have underperformed overall. In nine matches, Varun Chakaravarthy has taken 11 wickets at an economy of 6.85. Narine has claimed just seven wickets in eight matches, conceding 7.75 runs per over—compared to 17 wickets last season. Varun had 21 wickets last season but has struggled this year. Harshit Rana has also had a lacklustre season, with only 11 wickets.
“My role has increased, but I’m not happy with my performance so far,” remarked the 23-year-old Rana on the eve of the DC game.
For KKR to defeat DC and keep their playoff hopes alive, they must fire on all cylinders, starting with their bowlers.
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