GUWAHATI: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) remain undeterred by their opening game defeat as they prepare to face Rajasthan Royals in a crucial IPL 2025 encounter at Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
KKR’s bowling coach Bharat Arun demonstrated remarkable composure during Tuesday’s press conference, shrugging off concerns following their seven-wicket loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their season opener. Both teams enter the contest seeking their first win of the campaign, with Rajasthan also looking to recover after a 44-run defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad.
“As a team, we are not too worried about it. It’s always good to win the first match, you gain the momentum. But there were a lot of positives from the first game, some lessons to be learnt from there,” Arun explained, highlighting the team’s constructive approach to setbacks.
When questioned about the underwhelming performances from key power-hitters Andre Russell and Rinku Singh, Arun offered a philosophical perspective that reveals much about KKR’s resilient team culture.
“Sport is about failing. You fail more often, then you succeed. Champions like Russell must have it weighing on their minds when they fail, but they are always out to prove themselves. We are hoping he will really come good in tomorrow’s game,” the bowling coach stated with conviction.
Arun expressed particular confidence in Rinku Singh’s capabilities, noting his impressive form in pre-tournament matches. The left-handed batter has been a consistent performer for KKR in recent seasons and is expected to play a crucial role in the middle order against Rajasthan’s bowling attack led by Trent Boult.
Reflecting on the competitive landscape of IPL 2025, Arun observed the remarkable batting standards across franchises. “Every team is batting well, getting and chasing 250-plus scores. You can’t say this team is better than the other. Every team is evenly balanced, both in batting and bowling.”
The experienced coach, who previously served with the Indian national team, emphasized that match outcomes will likely hinge on critical moments rather than overall team strength. “Teams that snatch those crucial moments at any given point of time are going to win. How challenged you are to seize those key moments is what matters.”
KKR’s strategic approach appears to focus on comprehensive team planning rather than targeting specific opposition players. “All teams have some really fantastic batters. There is no point in targeting one player; we have to look at the whole team and devise a strategy accordingly. Our game plan is to win,” Arun asserted.
The Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, hosting IPL matches this season, presents a fresh challenge for both teams. Arun expressed optimism about the conditions: “We have not had a look at the wicket yet, but it seems good. The conditions are excellent, and the outfield looks really good for us. We hope to have a very good contest.”
With KKR’s batting lineup featuring the likes of captain Shreyas Iyer, Phil Salt, and Venkatesh Iyer alongside Russell and Rinku, and bowling resources including Mitchell Starc and Sunil Narine, the two-time champions have the firepower to mount a strong comeback. Wednesday’s clash promises to be an enthralling contest between two ambitious sides eager to register their first points on the IPL 2025 leaderboard.