Venky Mysore On KKR's Struggle (Source: @KKRWeRule/x.com)
After lifting their third IPL trophy in the last year, the defending champion Kolkata Knight Riders are struggling with their current form. With consecutive setbacks, they are standing in seventh position on the points table with just three victories in hand.
As the fans are on their way to losing hope, IPL has seen some remarkable bounce backs from the team. Amidst this situation, KKR CEO Venky Mysore recalls their past triumphs and calls on fans to rally behind the team.
Venky Mysore Reminds Of Past Glory
Since the beginning of the Indian Premier League, the Kolkata Knight Riders have become a formidable force. The three-time IPL champions went through so many ups and downs but showcased character on the big stage. After lifting the prestigious trophy last year, the Ajinkya Rahane-led side is facing consecutive setbacks.
After two consecutive defeats against the Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans, their woes deepened. With fans growing restless, CEO Venky Mysore reminded them of the team’s resilience, recalling how they made stunning comebacks in 2014 and 2021 after tough starts to the season.
“KKR is a very resilient team. This is our 18th season. If you look at our record, we're among the top three. Whenever new people come into our setup, I tell them that in 2014, at the halfway point, we had only won two and lost five. But you know what happened in 2014—we went on to win nine matches in a row to set the IPL record. After that, we played the Champions League and won five more in a row. So we won 14 games in a row,” he said.
“In 2021, again, we had just two wins and five losses at the halfway stage—and still made it to the final. So anything can happen in this format; there are still plenty of games left,” he added.
The Calculations Become Tougher For KKR
After consecutive setbacks in the ongoing tournament, the Kolkata Knight Riders have found themselves in a tough spot. With three victories and five defeats in eight matches, KKR is standing in the seventh position of the points table. But the last defeat added more woes to their qualification scenario.
With six remaining matches in the ongoing tournament, the Ajinkya Rahane-led side needs at least 5 wins to be on the safer side. But the net run rate is another setback for the side. Even a little mistake can throw them away from the playoff race. As KKR faces Punjab Kings in their next clash, the team will be aiming for a powerful comeback to keep their playoff hopes alive.
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