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Sending Raghuvanshi At No.9 And? 3 Blunders By KKR That Led To Crushing Defeat vs GT

Abhinav Tyagi

KKR vs GT - (AP)KKR vs GT - (AP)


On Monday, April 21, Kolkata Knight Riders squared off against Gujarat Titans at the Eden Gardens. In a do-or-die match, the defending champions crumbled under pressure as Gujarat registered a comfortable 39-runs win. 

It was KKR's fifth defeat of the season as they are now placed 7th on the table with just six points in eight matches. Gujarat were in total control of the game from the first over and there was no point in the game where KKR were in the driver's seat. 

Meanwhile, this article will shed light on the tactical blunders made by KKR which led to crushing defeat against Gujarat Titans. 

1.Following Old Template Against GT

Gujarat Titans have the best opening pair in IPL 2025. Notably, Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan have stitched 400+ runs in this season and also put up a 100-runs stand in the recently concluded match. 

Thus, for Rahane, he required to take early wickets and instead of bringing in his best bowler, Rahane went ahead with Vaibhav Arora and Moeen Ali, who have been economical in this season. Meanwhile, KKR needed a bowler like Harshit Rana, who might have gone for runs, but could have provided the crucial breakthrough that the defending champions needed early on.

2.Giving Andre Russell Just One Over

As mentioned above, Gill and Sudharsan registered a century runs stand and while other bowlers failed, Andre Russell did the trick as he provided the crucial breakthrough in the 13th over of the match.

Notably, it was Russell's first over of the match and in a surprising move, Russell was not asked to bowl again in the match. It is rare to see a wicket-taking bowler bowl just a solitary over in the match and it led to GT post 198 runs on the board. It is certain that Rahane missed a trick by bowling just one over from Russell.

3.Sending Angkrish Raghuvanshi At No.9

GT, batting first, put 198 runs on the board. In reply, KKR lost an early wicket but KKR made a big blunder as they sent Angkrish Raghuvanshi to bat at no.9 when the damage was already done. 

Notably, expect Ajinkya Rahane, other batters such as Venkatesh Iyer, Ramandeep Singh, and and Rinku Singh struggled to score runs and KKR could have sent Raghuvanshi up the order, which could have made the chase possible.

Notably, Raghuvanshi scored 26 (11), which featured three fours and a six despite coming to bat at No. 9.