Could the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have won their IPL 2025 match against Punjab Kings (PBKS) if Ajinkya Rahane had used the review for his LBW dismissal? Maybe, but in the end, Shreyas Iyer’s team came out on top. It’s not common to see a team’s captain, especially a batter, skip a review in a tough moment. But Rahane decided to save it for later. Unfortunately, that choice came back to bite him.
After the game, Rahane took full responsibility for not reviewing the decision, mentioning that chasing down a target of 112 runs was doable. Punjab didn’t bowl that great. We just didn’t play well as a batting unit. As captain, I own up to the fact that we couldn’t get the job done. But I’m sure every player will think about their performance and do better in future matches.
When asked about his chat with non-striker Angkrish Raghuvanshi after the LBW call, Rahane admitted their communication wasn’t clear. I thought I could save the review for later. I was worried about losing one, he explained. If a partner says it could be out or might miss, you might take the review. But we weren’t on the same page. I didn’t take it because I wasn’t sure.
KKR tried to play aggressively, but the conditions made it tricky. Rahane noted they were a bit reckless that day. You need to stay confident and positive, but also play smart shots. On that pitch, sweeping was tough, he said. We should own up to being reckless.
When asked if the team got complacent after restricting PBKS to 111 runs, Rahane disagreed. The players are experienced and confident. It’s not about complacency; we just didn’t bat well. We needed more awareness about the game conditions. Once we lost a few quick wickets, it was about taking our time and playing smart, even just getting singles.
The pitch had something for the bowlers, and T20 isn’t just about hitting sixes, he added. It’s about reading the situation and playing accordingly, something we missed today.
Rahane said he needs some time to gather his thoughts after the loss and figure out what to say to the team in the dressing room. Right now, I’m processing a lot, he admitted. I’m disappointed because that chase should’ve been straightforward for us. Once I’m settled, I’ll talk to the guys. We need to stay positive as the tournament is only halfway through and maintain a good brand of cricket, but we’ll definitely address what went wrong.