The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are gearing up for IPL 2025 with high hopes of defending their title after a stellar championship-winning campaign last season.
However, as the tournament draws closer, the two-time IPL champions face several challenges that could impact their performance this year.
While KKR boasts a strong core and a new captain in Ajinkya Rahane, three major concerns loom large over their preparations.
1. Inexperienced Pace Attack
One of the most pressing concerns for KKR is their bowling lineup, particularly in the pace department.
The franchise made a bold decision to release star fast bowler Mitchell Starc, who played a crucial role in their title win last season. Starc’s ability to take key wickets in high-pressure situations made him an invaluable asset.
With Starc’s departure, KKR’s pace attack appears inexperienced, relying heavily on young Indian bowlers like Harshit Rana, and Vaibhav Arora.
Although these players have shown promise in previous seasons, they lack the experience needed to consistently perform at the highest level.
2. Top-Order Batting Dilemma
Another significant concern for KKR is how to structure their top-order batting effectively.
With Ajinkya Rahane appointed as captain, he is likely to open the batting—a position where he has historically performed well.
However, this decision raises questions about the batting order’s balance. If Rahane opens, Quinton de Kock may have to bat at No. 3, a position where he has struggled recently, scoring only 159 runs in 10 matches during the SA20 league.
3. Limited Spin Options
KKR’s spin attack was one of their strongest assets last season, with Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine taking a combined total of 38 wickets.
However, entering IPL 2025 with only these two specialist spinners raises concerns about depth and adaptability.
While both spinners are highly skilled and experienced, relying solely on them could become problematic if they face form slumps or injuries.
The lack of additional spin options may limit KKR’s effectiveness during middle overs when controlling run rates and breaking partnerships is crucial.
This could put added pressure on their pace bowlers to perform consistently throughout the tournament.
