In the IPL 2025 opener at Eden Gardens, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Ajinkya Rahane identified a pivotal moment that shifted the match’s momentum in favor of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). KKR had built a strong foundation, reaching 107/1 by the 10th over, with Rahane contributing a brisk 56 off 31 balls. However, the dismissal of Sunil Narine for 44 marked a turning point. Following Narine’s wicket, KKR experienced a middle-order collapse, losing several wickets in quick succession. This downturn prevented them from capitalizing on their strong start, ultimately posting a total of 174/8, which Rahane acknowledged was below their target of 210-220. He emphasized that the loss of wickets in the middle overs was crucial in altering the game’s momentum.
In response, RCB’s openers, Virat Kohli and Phil Salt, capitalized on the situation, forging a 95-run partnership that laid the foundation for their successful chase. Kohli remained unbeaten on 59, guiding RCB to a seven-wicket victory.
Reflecting on the match, Rahane noted that while KKR had a promising start, the loss of key wickets in the middle overs was detrimental. He highlighted the need for the team to learn from these mistakes and improve in future games.
