KKR’s Tactical Tumble & Finch’s Flaming Review

Ever feel like you’re watching a game and halfway through, you just know this isn’t it? It was that kind of vibe against GT – they were chasing, and there was a sense halfway through the KKR innings that they weren’t chasing 200, they were chasing vibes. Aaron Finch was not kind in the post-game chat about the terrible batting. He wasn’t wrong. Let’s take a look at the step-by-step details of what happened and the reason KKR’s run chase was a slow stroll through a minefield.

Misreading the Game Situation: The Fatal Error

One of the most baffling aspects of this match was the way KKR approached the chase. You don’t see teams attempting to knock the ball around like they are chasing 140 when they are chasing 200, very often. Finch nailed it when he said, It was game over after 10. KKR was already in dangerous territory with the required run rate, and they hadn’t even attempted to counter it.

Now, here’s the kicker: the pitch was certainly not a batting paradise. The pitch had grip, quite a bit of turn, and there was no way you could rely on 60+ runs in the last five overs. So why did they think they could bat and play like they had all the time in the world? It comes down to poor calculation. Instead of exploiting the powerplay or putting the pressure back onto the bowlers, they allowed the game to drift, and it cost them dearly.

Also Check: Can KKR Still Pull Off a Playoff Miracle in IPL 2025? Let’s Break It Down!

Nine Batters, No Intent: A Tactical Contradiction

Another odd twist? KKR had nine batters. Yes, nine genuine batters and still…. KKR played in a way that would suggest they were trying to play for the draw in a Test match. When you have that much depth, you would expect a fearless start – go hard, take the game on early, and be OK with a couple of losses. But no. It looked like they were more concerned with a collapse than they were with trying to chase a total.

Finch and Pujara both suggested that they may have had a bit of a mental hangover from the last game. It is possible that KKR was still a little too rattled by a previous collapse and played with fear. You have got to back yourself as a team, especially when you have a long batting order. Ragavanchi came on as a sub, but by that point, the message had already been lost. What we got instead was a team that was just trying not to get completely blown away instead of trying to win the game.

Missed Bowling Tricks in the First Innings

And remember the first half of the match, as KKR’s issues started with bowling. There was enough turn on that pitch to show 200 was 20–30 runs too many. If they had bowled more wisely through the middle overs, they could have put GT to something around 180. That would have been a tough chase, but not impossible. They bowled one too many balls in the slot and did not mix it up enough, which GT capitalised on fully. Oddly enough, when the pitch slowed down some more in the second innings, KKR’s batting should have been a breeze with a game plan. Instead, they looked like a team that had a problem but hadn’t studied the problem properly.

All said and done, it seemed like a classic example of how not to chase 200 in T20 cricket. Poor bowling plans and an odd passive response with the bat; KKR never looked in the game at any stage. Finch put it perfectly: That was a horrible batting performance. You don’t get many opportunities in the IPL, and this will hurt. 

Disclaimer: This cricket blog reflects the author’s insights and analysis. Readers should consider the points discussed and draw their own conclusions.

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