IPL 2025: 3 reasons why KKR lost to PBKS

The reigning champions of the toughest T20 league in the world, Kolkata Knight Riders, lost their fourth game of the season in match number 31 of the Indian Premier League 2025. Punjab Kings stunned the reigning Champions by denying them the chance to chase a target of just 112 runs. Punjab Kings won the toss and elected to bat first at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium. Traditionally, the pitch at this stadium is known to support batters, but that wasn’t the case in this fixture. Kolkata Knight Riders threatened Shreyas Iyer’s decision as their bowlers bundled the hosts for a mere 111 runs in just 16 overs. Prabhsimran Singh was Punjab’s top scorer with 30 runs, followed by Priyansh Arya, who scored 22 runs. Kolkata Knight Riders got off to a shaky start during the run chase. The visitors lost wickets in regular intervals as none of the batters managed to anchor the innings. Yuzvendra Chahal and Marco Jansen scalped 7 wickets in total to decimate KKR’s formidable batting order. In the end, KKR fell short by 16 runs. Both teams failed to bat the complete quota of 20 overs.

Here are three reasons which contributed to KKR’s loss against Punjab Kings.

3. Batters failed to take responsibility

Chasing a target as low as 112 in modern T20 tends to be a cakewalk more often than not, only if the batters perform as per their abilities. Kolkata Knight Riders didn’t get the best of the starts, as both openers Sunil Narine and Quinton De Kock were dismissed by the second over. Rahane and Raghuvanshi tried to steady the ship, but once the skipper departed, other batters crumbled like a pack of nine pins. None of the batters except Rahane, Raghuvanshi and Russel reached the double-digit mark.

2. Rahane’s rash shot didn’t yield results 

The captain of KKR took responsibility for the team’s humiliating loss in the post-match press conference, blaming his shot selection as the reason that turned the tables in favour of Punjab. Ajinkya was batting at a run-a-ball strike rate. He had scored 17 off 17 deliveries, hitting a boundary and a maximum. Results could have been different had Rahane backed up his calm demeanour instead of trying a ramp shot at a critical stage of the innings.

1. KKR’s struggle against spin

Kolkata Knight Riders batters were left exposed when they faced a high-quality leg spinner in the form of Yuzi Chahal. Chahal scalped 4 wickets with his quality leg spin. This weakness of KKR is sure to be tested by other teams in upcoming matches. 

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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