IPL 2025: Rahane says KKR considering every game a knockout match without thinking too much about past

7.09 per cent — At the time of writing, that’s the probability Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) is looking at if the side has to confirm a top-four berth in the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Skipper Ajinkya Rahane is well aware that his side sits right behind the eight ball; even if the defending champion wins all of its remaining four games, it has to await other results.

But the experienced campaigner in him isn’t sweating it.

“We don’t want to think about the past. In the IPL, it is about being in the moment and giving your best on that particular day and in that game.

“Every game is a knockout for us. We are thinking of it that way,” Rahane, calm as ever, said at a Star Sports Press Room session on Friday.

“For now, our focus is completely on the RR (Rajasthan Royals) match… All of this is a part and parcel of the T20 format. Whatever has happened in the past, we learn from our errors.”

Questions have been raised over Venkatesh Iyer’s form, Rahane’s deputy, whom KKR broke the bank for on the auction table.

The INR 23.75 crore KKR shelled out has translated into just 142 runs in 10 matches, with only one score over 50. The all-rounder hasn’t even been asked to roll his arm over.

Venkatesh Iyer walks back to the pavilion after losing his wicket in a IPL match.
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS

But the proverbial rope is longer than it seems.

“Every player goes through that phase. He is trying his best, but the performance is not coming. He is a quality player. We all know he has won many matches in the past for the franchise,” the 36-year-old Rahane said.

“From the management and leadership group’s point of view, we back him. We back every player. He has been working really hard. People generally tend to focus on the outcomes, but the hard work the players have been putting in is really important.

“When it comes off, it looks really good. When it doesn’t, then you start to question. We are backing him completely. He is, maybe, one innings away (from a good knock),” he added.

KKR’s openers have scored the fewest runs in 2025—354 in 10 games at an average of 20.82. The team has tried four different batters at No. 1 and 2 in Moeen Ali, Quinton de Kock, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Sunil Narine.

Yet there have been only three fifty-plus stands at the top.

On being asked whether someone like Luvnith Sisodia, who has amassed more than 300 runs at an average of 30-plus in all three editions of the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20, was an option the team was looking at, Rahane said, “He has been batting really well… in the domestic season and the practice games as well. But every player has their time.”

Luvnith Sisodia during a warm-up session ahead of an IPL 2025 match at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, in New Chandigarh.
| Photo Credit:
PTI

“At this moment, we should back the players who are playing. Definitely, Luvnith will get his opportunity, but that doesn’t mean that if guys aren’t performing, we don’t back them.

“We have Luvnith in our plans, but unfortunately, not everyone gets to make the eleven. Depending on the conditions and looking at the opposition and matchups, we tend to change (the line-up). Other than that, creating opportunities is difficult and challenging.”

Rahane, who had picked up an injury while fielding against Delhi Capitals last Tuesday, said he was doing fine now.

However, he didn’t sound too convincing while talking about his availability for Sunday’s home game against the already-eliminated RR.

“My injury is okay. I am fine. We have a practice session today. I don’t want to comment much on it now. Hopefully, I will play the match. I am trying my best,” he said.

Rahane had seemingly gotten a few stitches, according to KKR all-rounder Anukul Roy. With Rahane off the field, Sunil Narine had assumed captaincy responsibilities as Venkatesh had already been substituted out for pacer Vaibhav Arora.