Kolkata Knight Riders' bowling coach Bharat Arun is not concerned about the loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 opener. Arun said that there were a few positives for defending champions KKR in the lost encounter as well and backed star all-rounder Andre Russell to do well.
"We are not too worried about it," Arun said on the eve of the clash against Rajasthan Royals at Barsapara Stadium. "There are a lot of positives from the first game, and some lessons to be learned as well."
While the match is in Guwahati, Arun considers it KKR's second home as they share the same language. He is happy with the conditions
"The wicket looks good, the conditions are excellent, and the outfield looks really, really good," he noted.
Arun is confident that Russell will look to make a comeback and prove himself against RR after a disappointing outing at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
"Sport is about failing. For champions like Russ, it must be weighing on his mind that he has failed in the last game, and he is out to prove himself in every single game," he explained.
The 62-year-old does not believe in making strategies on just one player.
"There's no point in just targeting one player. We have to look at the team as a whole and devise a strategy accordingly," he added.
Russell falls to ex-KKR leggie
Against RCB, Russell could not push KKR's score in the slog overs as he got bowled by leg-spinner Suyash Sharma in the 16th over. Skipper Ajinkya Rahane did not use Russell's services with the ball as RCB won by seven wickets with 22 balls to spare.
RR vs KKR's last game
The last time KKR reached Guwahati to go up against RR, the match was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to rain. In their previous meeting, Sunil Narine scored a century at Eden Gardens, but it went in vain as Jos Buttler scored an unbeaten ton in the run chase.