Would the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have won the match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 against Punjab Kings (PBKS) if Ajinkya Rahane had examined his LBW decision? Probably yes, but the end result was in the side of Shreyas Iyer, who won a victory for the ages. It is not often that you see the captain of a team, being a striker, abandoning an examination, especially when the team is in the event of a crisis. But, Rahane thought it was better to record the DRS call at that time. Unfortunately, the decision returned to haunt him.
Addressing the media after the match, Rahane took the whole blame on the call not to use the DRS for his dismissal while affirming that the pursuit of the target of 112 points was quite plausible.
“It is not as if the Punjab has played very well. I think we have played bad cricket as a unit of strikers. I take this responsibility as a captain that we could not continue this. But individually, I am sure, all the players, especially the strikers, will think of their own game and will improve the games to come.”
The Big DRS decision
Asked about the conversation he had with the unknted partner, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, after receiving LBW, Rahane said that communication between the two was not as clear as it should have been.
“As a striker, I thought that I could save criticism for later. It should not happen that I take an exam and that I lose it, so we only find ourselves a review,” said Rahane. “Communication between the two drummers [him and Raghuvanshi] was not so clear. If someone clearly tells you that the impact can be released or that he can miss, you take an opinion as a dough.
“But generally, the drummers in front of you, you think of what they say. Communication was not so clear:” Maybe that could be the referee’s call, maybe it could strike. “This is why I did not take a criticism.
KKR IMPRUDENTS legs
The Knight Riders continued to try to attack shots even if the ball did not easily arrive on the bat. Rahane said that if a positive approach should be maintained, his strikers were “reckless” during the day.
“You see, as an individual, you must always be confident, be positive,” said Rahane. “Let the ball come and then tend your luck, continue the intention, but try to play crickets. I thought that on this counter, the sweep was quite difficult to play.
“Once again, you must be really positive, continue this intention. But we were a little reckless, and we should assume full responsibility as a hitter.”
Complacency?
When asked if the players were “complacent” after having restricted the kings of Punjab for a score of 111, Rahane dismissed the suggestion, saying that his teammates were neither complacent nor too confident.
“All the players are confident. They are experienced enough to manage all the situations. I would not say that we were complacents or we were too confident. It is always … we have not beaten well. It is the truth and the honest answer.
“It is not only a question of being complacent or taking things for granted. I do not think we do it. Yes, we did not beat well. We did not realize what the situation required on this window. When we lost these three or four counters, it was only a question of taking your time. Even simple. It was important.
“It was not a flat counter. There was something for the quisters. We had to cringe it. T20, I think, is not only to hit six. Although we see at the moment that most players are going for big shots, they want to appear;
The skipper KKR said he needed time to calm down above the result and understand what must be said to players when they all meet in the locker room.
“For the moment, there are too many things happening in my head,” he said. “It is still early. As you all saw, … quite disappointed. It was an easy pursuit for us. We fought like a shot unit. See.
“You must always be positive. It is always halfway through the tournament. As a team, as a unit, we must always be positive and keep a good brand of cricket. But at the same time, we would certainly like to approach things.”
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