KKR's title defence came to a premature end following a washout in Bengaluru, a game that marked the league's return after a 10-day break
Shivam Shukla, Rovman Powell (Photo: X)
Kolkata Knight Riders have brought in Madhya Pradesh's mystery spinner Shivam Shukla as a replacement for West Indies' Rovman Powell for the remainder of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season.
Shukla, a leg-spinner, has featured in eight T20 matches and has picked up eight wickets. His inclusion adds a fresh spin option to the KKR setup as the franchise looks to end their campaign on a strong note.
KKR's title defence came to a premature end following a washout in Bengaluru, a game that marked the league's return after a 10-day break. The defending champions, who clinched the title in 2024, have only one fixture left this season, a face-off against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Delhi next Sunday.
With playoff hopes dashed, the match against SRH will be an opportunity for KKR to test new talent and finish the season with pride. KKR are now placed sixth in the points table with five wins and six defeats, and their two games were washed out; they ended with 13 points.
Knight Riders' campaign often appeared imbalanced and strategically misaligned, particularly in their batting line-up. Opening with Sunil Narine, a dynamic yet unconventional choice, followed by the middle-order duo of Ajinkya Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi, the team frequently seemed overcrowded yet underpowered. This composition meant that proven finishers like Rinku Singh and Andre Russell were left with limited opportunities to influence games meaningfully. Their explosive potential was often underutilised.
This lack of clarity in roles was further compounded by an inconsistent string of results, oscillating between wins and losses, hindering any momentum or rhythm they attempted to build. The absence of back-to-back victories exposed the team's fragility and highlighted the void in leadership and execution under pressure. The side, though rich in individual talent, never quite clicked collectively and ultimately faltered when consistency mattered most.
Crucially, KKR were dealt significant blows even before the season gained traction. The absence of their regular captain and pace spearhead Mitchell Starc left a gaping hole in both leadership and bowling firepower. The lack of a solid, dependable opener like Phil Salt meant the top order struggled to set or chase challenging targets.
But perhaps the most significant void was the absence of Gautam Gambhir, the tactical mastermind and mentor during their title-winning era. His strategic acumen and ability to foster a fearless culture were sorely missed in moments requiring composure and conviction.
Kolkata Knight Riders squad: Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane(c), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Manish Pandey, Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy, Harshit Rana, Anrich Nortje, Mayank Markande, Anukul Roy, Luvnith Sisodia, Spencer Johnson, Quinton de Kock, Venkatesh Iyer, Shivam Shukla, Chetan Sakariya
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