KKR mentor Dwayne Bravo has admitted that the team’s batters lacked confidence and failed to handle the pressure well. Speaking to KKR’s loss in the IPL 2025 game against Gujarat, he said the bowlers did their job by keeping the opposition under 200.
Bravo highlighted that KKR lost momentum early, scoring only 45 runs in the powerplay and losing both openers. Unlike Titans, KKR, who made a similar start, couldn’t stabilise the innings as much as the opposition.
Despite Rahane’s fifty, they failed to accelerate, and their quick dismissal left KKR at 91 for 4.
Kolkata struggled to find momentum in the powerplay, where they scored 45 runs and lost both their openers.
“I think the bowlers, first of all, did a fantastic job restricting them under 200,” Bravo admitted following the loss. “Shubhman Gill and Sai batted very well, but credit to our bowling group, they really brought it back and gave us a chance at the halfway stage. I think we were the happier team.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t get the start we wanted in the powerplay. And then, they slowed us down through the middle and obviously we faulted in the end.”
While Rahane hit a few boundaries, Venkatesh Iyer continued to struggle and mid-way through the 13th over, both the batters were dismissed in quick succession, leaving KKR tottering at 91 for 4.
Russel who smashed 15 ball 21 runs on the night happens to be his highest score this season.
“Russell is an experienced player. He’s a successful player. Just a couple of games the leg spinners have got him out. But I don’t think we actually had the team batting properly. So that is the reality.”
“Russell is not the only one who is struggling at the moment. But as a group, we have to make sure that the players keep putting in their work and practise, keep preparing well, try to keep them mentally focused.”
“IPL is a tough tournament. And when you don’t start well, batsmen go into a period where they lose confidence. And that’s what’s happening at the moment. We just have to keep backing them and hopefully they come good,” said Dwayne Bravo.
He insisted that if the top order bats well, it will allow the finishers to play their role better.
“Not every team has leg spinners. And then today, obviously, Rashid Khan, one of the quality players. But, you know, when Russell walks into bat every time, the run rate is at 14-15.”
“So the work needs to be done on top so that we give him a chance to finish off games like he accustomed to doing over the years for KKR. So, yeah, he has leg spinners getting him out a few times. But I don’t think that is a big concern. I just figured that, we need to bat better to allow our finishers to finish cricket games,” added Dwayne Bravo.
Kolkata Knight Riders has three wins out of eighth games and secured 7th position in the IPL 2025 Points table.
Kolkata Knight Riders will play their next game against Punjab Kings on April 26 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
