In a dramatic IPL 2025 showdown between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS), KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane has broken his silence over the controversial DRS decision that played a key role in his team’s unexpected defeat. Punjab Kings clinched a memorable 16-run victory after defending a modest total of 111 runs, with KKR faltering during the chase and ending up all out for just 95 runs.
Speaking after the match, Rahane accepted full responsibility for not opting for a review when he was given out LBW. He revealed that a lack of clear communication with non-striker Angkrish Raghuvanshi influenced his call.
“As a batter, I felt it was better to save the review for a more crucial moment. The communication between me and Angkrish wasn’t very clear. If someone says confidently that it’s hitting or missing, you might go for the review. But we weren’t sure. Still, no excuses — our batting let us down,” said Rahane.
The dismissal turned out to be a pivotal moment in the game, and many fans believe that a review might have overturned the decision, possibly altering the result.
Reckless Batting and Missed Opportunities
While Punjab’s bowlers, especially Yuzvendra Chahal who took 4/28, were exceptional, Rahane emphasized that the loss was more about KKR’s poor shot selection and lack of game awareness.
“I don’t think it was just Punjab’s bowling — we played bad cricket. We were reckless. While playing positively is important, we lacked control. T20 isn’t just about sixes, it’s about adapting to the situation. On this pitch, we needed to rotate the strike and grind it out. We didn’t do that,” Rahane added.
The skipper dismissed suggestions of complacency after restricting Punjab to a low total. He clarified that the team was neither overconfident nor careless but simply failed to read the game situation.
“I won’t say we were complacent. We didn’t bat smartly. It’s not always about power-hitting; sometimes it’s about playing sensible cricket. Today, we lacked that intent,” he said.
Rahane also mentioned the emotional toll of the loss, saying he needed time to collect his thoughts before addressing the team in the dressing room.
Match Stats: KKR vs PBKS, IPL 2025
| Teams | Total Score | Top Scorer (Bat) | Best Bowler |
|---|---|---|---|
| Punjab Kings | 111 all out | Prabhsimran Singh – 30 (28) | Yuzvendra Chahal – 4/28 |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | 95 all out | Angkrish Raghuvanshi – 37 (32) | Marco Jansen – 3/22 |
With this defeat, KKR will need to regroup quickly and address their middle-order concerns, while Rahane’s leadership and communication will be under the microscope going forward. Punjab, on the other hand, will take confidence from this gritty win and look to build momentum in their upcoming matches.