Rahane criticizes KKR batters; Bravo claims they've 'lost confidence'

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Ajinkya Rahane admitted his side’s misfiring batting lineup was to blame for their fifth loss in eight games, while team mentor Dwayne Bravo went a step further, claiming the defending champions have "lost confidence."

After choosing to bowl, KKR allowed Gujarat Titans to post 198 for 3. In response, KKR's chase fell flat, ending on 159 for 8 and conceding a 39-run defeat.

"I felt 199 was within reach, and we bowled really well to come back into the game," Rahane said post-match. "But we’ve struggled with our starts throughout this tournament. It’s the batting where we’ve let ourselves down. The bowlers are doing a great job; we just need to learn quickly and improve with the bat."

Echoing Rahane’s sentiments, Bravo acknowledged at the post-match press conference that poor batting performances have been a recurring issue. Responding to concerns about Andre Russell’s underwhelming returns—just 55 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 119.56—Bravo said the entire batting unit is underperforming.

"It's not just Russell—none of our batters are really firing right now. Confidence has dropped," Bravo said. "The IPL is tough. If you don't start well, batters can easily fall into a rut. That’s what we’re seeing."

He also pointed out that Russell often finds himself walking in with the required run rate at an unsustainable level. "He’s coming in when the asking rate is already 14-15 an over. That’s not ideal. The top order has to set the platform so he can do what he’s known for—finish games."

KKR’s opening partnerships have been a major concern. Across eight matches, no opening pair has clicked consistently. Their newest opening combination—Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sunil Narine—lasted only five balls. With an average of 19.00, KKR’s openers have been the least productive this season.

"When you’re chasing a big score, you need a solid start, and that’s something we’re working to improve," Rahane noted. "Our bowlers are executing well and improving every game. It’s the batting in the powerplay and middle overs where we’re falling short."

Apart from Rahane’s 36-ball 50, none of the KKR batters made a significant impact. Angkrish Raghuvanshi, one of their few consistent performers, was pushed down to No. 9 due to match-up tactics, with other batters promoted ahead of him to counter the spin duo of Rashid Khan and Sai Kishore.

"We were aiming for a left-right combination, trying to maximize match-ups against Gujarat’s spinners," Bravo explained. "That’s why Angkrish ended up batting lower. The thinking was to use our best hitters in the middle when chasing a big total."

Bravo also stressed that the players' lack of form isn’t due to a lack of effort. "They’re training hard and not skipping practice. The commitment is there—it’s just not translating into performances right now."

Despite the setbacks, Rahane remained hopeful. "This format is about playing with courage. You can’t dwell on past failures. As a batter, you’ve got to think positively—about scoring runs, not about getting out. I believe our players are in that mindset. It’s just a matter of time before things turn around."

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