Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) had the last laugh in the high-scoring thriller against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 clash at the Eden Gardens stadium on April 8. Up until the 13th over of their challenging 239-run chase against LSG in their IPL 2025 encounter, KKR appeared to be comfortably in control. However, the complexion of the game shifted when captain Ajinkya Rahane, on the final ball of the 13th over, mistimed a full toss from Shardul Thakur straight into the hands of the fielder at cover. This dismissal marked the beginning of a momentum shift in LSG's favor. Adding to their woes, KKR's decision to delay the arrival of their power-hitters, Andre Russell and Rinku Singh, further hampered their chase.
Mohammad Kaif questions KKR's batting order tactics against LSG
Russell came in to bat at number seven, while Rinku Singh followed him. Ultimately, despite a late aggressive display from Rinku, KKR fell short, losing the match by a narrow margin of four runs. Following the conclusion of the game, former Indian batsman Mohammad Kaif strongly criticised the KKR team management for their batting order, specifically questioning the decision to bat Russell at number seven and Rinku at number eight in a run chase that demanded a scoring rate of 12 runs per over right from the outset.
Kaif suggested that KKR needs to reconsider their apparent fixation on maintaining a right-left batting combination and instead prioritise the overall capabilities and form of their batsmen when constructing their batting lineup.
"KKR needs to avoid taking right-left theory too seriously. When chasing 239, you can't play Rusell at No.7 and Rinku at No. 8. Way too late for your big hitters," Kaif wrote on X, previously known as Twitter.
Following Ajinkya Rahane's dismissal after a solid innings of 61 runs off 35 balls, KKR surprised many by sending Ramandeep Singh to bat at number five, with 77 runs still required off 42 deliveries. The right-handed batsman's stay at the crease was brief, as he was dismissed for just one run off two balls. Despite the increasing pressure, neither Andre Russell nor Rinku Singh, known for their big-hitting abilities, were yet to come to the crease. Instead, Angrish Raghuvanshi walked in, a player who has shown good form in the IPL but isn't typically relied upon for explosive hitting.
KKR continued to lose wickets at crucial junctures. After hitting a boundary, Raghuvanshi was caught out by LSG captain Rishabh Pant while attempting a reverse sweep off an Avesh Khan delivery. Next in was Andre Russell, but his arrival coincided with the dismissal of the set batsman Venkatesh Iyer for 4. In a dramatic collapse, KKR slumped from a comfortable 162 for two to a precarious 177 for six, losing five wickets for a mere 15 runs.
Russell managed to hit a six in the 16th over but was caught out at long-off on the very first ball of the 17th over. Rinku Singh then launched a valiant counter-attack, hitting two sixes and six fours in the subsequent four overs. However, his efforts lacked support from the other end, forcing him to deny singles in the penultimate over to retain the strike. In the final over, Harshit Rana managed a boundary off Ravi Bishnoi's first ball but missed the next. Rinku was then faced with the daunting task of scoring 19 runs off the remaining three balls. The left-hander responded with three fours and a six, remaining unbeaten on a spirited 38 off just 15 balls, bringing KKR agonizingly close to a remarkable run chase. Ultimately, they fell short by just four runs.