IPL 2025: Ajinkya Rahane vows KKR “We’ll come back stronger” after tough title defence ends in disappointment

Add as a preferred source on Google

IPL 2025: The Kolkata Knight Riders' title defence in the TATA IPL 2025 came to an abrupt halt on a warm Sunday evening at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, as Sunrisers Hyderabad handed them a final defeat to cap off a season filled with fleeting highs and frustrating lows.

For the defending champions, it wasn't the kind of campaign they had envisioned after lifting the trophy in 2024. But in the heart of disappointment, captain Ajinkya Rahane struck a note of resilience and hope.

"This season for us, it was kind of up and down," Rahane admitted candidly after KKR's exit. "We had our moments, we had our chances - and I've said this earlier, that as a unit we didn't play really well. But again, in this format, that's how it goes. If you win the close matches, those make the difference."

Indeed, KKR's journey in IPL 2025 was a tale of narrow defeats, missed opportunities, and sporadic brilliance. While their campaign never really caught fire, the team's efforts were undeniable. Rahane, who took over the leadership mantle this season, remained dignified and composed, shouldering responsibility while offering encouragement to his players.

"As a captain, what I saw and felt was that preparation wise, everyone tried their best," Rahane said. "It's not easy when you win a championship and come into the next season to defend the championship. All the teams have prepared well and as a team, we tried our best. What I can say is that we'll come back stronger next year."

That belief, in a squad that had shown flashes of its potential, was at the heart of Rahane's post-match reflection. While much of the spotlight fell on KKR's inconsistent batting and pressure-cooked defeats, the skipper reserved a special mention for his bowling unit, who, despite the odds, often punched above their weight.

"It was a mixed bag for our bowlers but I thought the bowlers did well," Rahane noted. "The wickets were really good for the batters, that's why there were so many 200+ scores, but throughout the season, as a bowling unit we did really well."

In a format that increasingly tilts towards aggressive batting and sky-high run-chases, bowlers are often left with the short end of the stick. Still, Rahane stood firm in his support. "There will be games when the bowlers will go for runs in this format but as long as the thinking was clear from them, that was important. I thought Harshit, Vaibhav, Varun, Sunny (Narine), all the bowlers who have played - their thinking was really clear. So, as a bowling unit, I think we did decently well."

However, it was KKR's misfiring batting line-up that drew the most scrutiny throughout the season. On paper, it was a formidable group - a mix of youth, experience, and previous IPL pedigree. But the pressure to replicate past successes seemed to weigh heavily on their shoulders.

"Sometimes when you have a couple of good seasons, as an individual, you put a lot of pressure of expectations on yourself," Rahane explained thoughtfully. "I feel that was the case for most of the batters - to prove how good they are - and that's completely natural. When you're doing well, it's normal to have those expectations from yourself and the people. There was a lot to learn for us as a team this season."

The Knight Riders never truly found consistency with the bat, often relying on individual cameos rather than cohesive partnerships. And in a league as fiercely competitive as the IPL, the margin for error is razor thin.

"It can happen to any player," Rahane added, acknowledging the collective dip in form. "Unfortunately, two or three players were going through that patch of form in our team and that's why we couldn't do well enough in our batting unit. These players are experienced enough to handle this situation and I'm sure they will come back stronger next year."

Those parting words echoed both conviction and empathy - a skipper standing by his teammates, trusting in their abilities, and looking forward with renewed optimism. While the Knight Riders may have failed to scale the heights of last season, the foundation of team spirit and belief remains intact.

As the curtains fall on their campaign, KKR will begin the introspection phase with a view to rebuild and re-energise. The IPL, after all, is a game of fine margins, short memories, and constant reinvention. With Ajinkya Rahane at the helm, and with the promise of a stronger return, the Knight Riders' story in 2025 may have ended, but their next chapter is already taking shape.