IPL 2025: The night KKR batters dug a hole for themselves in Mullanpur

The morning after, the Kolkata Knight Riders fans are still wondering what hit them last night.

Was it the perils of a small target, which acts as a double-edged sword, or the rank irresponsibility of the batters who came after skipper Ajinkya Rahane, as 5 wickets fell for 7 runs, handing the match on a platter to the Punjab Kings?

There is simply no explanation for this kind of a meltdown after being 61 for 2 at one stage, after the all-round steady job by their bowlers left them chasing only 112.

Yes, Rahane owned up to his dismissal at the Mullanpur venue being the ‘turning point’, and it surely was on two counts — the sweep against the crafty Yuzvendra Chahal in the eighth over, instead of trying to play him out, and secondly, not asking for a review despite being aware that his front foot was planted outside the off stump when the ball hit the pad.

But then, how do you account for some of the shot selection of the young turks like Rinku Singh — who has been a part of international cricket for close to two years — or Ramandeep Singh, who harbours aspirations to be a clinical finisher one day?

No less mindless was Andre Russell dragging the Marco Jansen delivery on to his stumps, while going for a cross-batted heave — but by then, he was taking a gamble in the company of last batter Anrich Nortje.

A team’s character, be it in whichever form of the game, shows when they are in a tight spot. This is what the reigning champions have failed to display so far this season.

The much-needed momentum, which was so evident on their successful campaign under Gautam Gambhir last year, has been missing. The Purple Army have failed to close any games in conditions not to their liking.

Take the away game against the Mumbai Indians at Wankhede where, after being put in to bat, with the ball offering some bounce and carry, the Knights folded up for a paltry 116 — bringing instant fame to debutant paceman Ashwani Kumar, who claimed four wickets.

The MI pacers, sans Jasprit Bumrah then, were spot-on; but the approach of some of the young KKR batters on that occasion left a lot to be desired even then.

There is a thin line between fearless batting and mixing it with a game awareness — and this is where batters like a K.L. Rahul, Shreyas Iyer or even Karun Nair can make a difference in the Knights’ middle order.

Speaking between the matches earlier, KKR mentor Dwayne Bravo said basics have a place even in franchise cricket — more so when one is handling the class and guile of someone like Chahal.

Yuzi turned it, Sarpanch Saab read it! 🤌❤️ pic.twitter.com/0gLKfr3zM7

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) April 16, 2025

Speaking on Jio Star, former international and TV pundit Robin Uthappa didn’t mince words:

“In this kind of a situation — 111, 112 [to win] — is a double-edged sword. It’s like getting 120 in a T20 game, it’s like six runs an over, it's easy-peasy.

“But if you don’t get the right start as a batting unit, you’re under pressure. And suddenly a lot of these thoughts come through your head.

“Well, I’m flabbergasted. For KKR’s sake. They just imploded.

“It’s like they puked all over that innings after a point, because they were 62 for 2. And from there, [they] were 79 for 8...”

Now in sixth spot after seven games (three wins and run-rate of +0.547), the campaign is certainly not over for the Knights — but their batters have dug a hole for themselves for the moment!