Reigning IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) got knocked out of the 2025 season on May 17 as their match against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the M. Chinnaswamy stadium got washed out. As the match got abandoned, both teams shared a point each and the Kolkata-based franchise ended up getting eliminated as they needed to win both of their two remaining games in order to have a chance at qualification to the playoffs.
KKR's position on the IPL points table
KKR is currently placed on the sixth spot on the IPL standings, having accumulated 12 points from 13 matches. They have so far only been able to record five wins in the ongoing season and will be looking to end their campaign on a positive note when they lock horns against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 25.
Following their elimination from the tournament, former Australia captain Aaron Finch pointed out where things went wrong for the Kolkata-based franchise in the 2025 IPL season. He particularly questioned why the team made a 'match-winner' like Andre Russell bat way down the order.
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"It didn't start well for them. Andre Russell, being the match-winner that he is and has been for such a long time, was batting too far down the order for much of the tournament. He simply wasn't given the opportunities to influence games the way he can. They've only got themselves to blame," Finch said on JioHotstar.
The former cricketer, who played for KKR in IPL 2022 further stated that the side 'kicked themselves' in their clash against the Chennai Super Kings which took place on May 7 at the Eden Gardens.
"They almost kicked themselves after that last game against CSK – it was theirs to win. The match was almost wrapped up, and they still couldn't cross the line, which turned out to be an incredible win for Chennai. Throughout the season, there were too many moments where KKR just didn't click," Finch added.
While KKR got knocked out of the tournament on Saturday, the wash out saw RCB move to the top of the IPL standings with 17 points from 12 matches and they now stand on the verge of qualification to the playoffs.