KKR in IPL 2025 (Source: @KKRiders/X)
In sports, you can either be a winner or a loser, there is nothing in between. While a few teams make the habit of winning and keep on building a legacy, others make their supporters feel bad and worse with continuous failures.
Famous quotes are everywhere related to this subject, as people often feel to get motivated whenever things go south. Among them, the most loved one I have read was quoted by Walt Disney. “If You can dream it, you can do it,” he wrote.
A Shreyas Iyer Dream Came True, Perhaps In The Most Dramatic Way!
Despite losing his wicket for a duck in a much-anticipated match against KKR, Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer had that Disney-inspired mindset in Mullanpur when they came to defend a record-breaking 111-run total. And he succeeded in a match which will perhaps go down in history as the IPL’s most thrilling low-scoring affair.
Shreyas’ on-field aggression was more than enough to tell the audience that he has no love lost for KKR, whom he helped win the IPL title after 10 long years. He was not retained by the Venky Mysore-headed franchise, with certain rumours regarding his demands, etc, making a lot of headlines. Therefore, the vengeance in his eyes was truly visible when he went up against them after all the drama happened off the field.
However, with all due respect to Shreyas, it was KKR who let the game away from their pocket. The pitch had little impact on the scorecard, but all they could show was nothing more than a collective fiasco.
From 62/2 in 7.3 overs, the Purple and Gold Brigade were folded out for 95 in 15.1 overs, with Rahane's LBW, which could have been saved had he taken the DRS, triggering the collapse. No wonder the ‘chokers’ tag came before their name as soon as Andre Russell was chopped on, even though Shreyas’ leadership throughout the game was equally commendable.
First Lucknow, Now Punjab!
The ‘chokers’, a fancy term no one likes to have, do not come with one bad day. South Africa, who have shown more than just a promise whenever there is a bilateral series or ICC tournament’s league phase, find themselves to be called out with that tag for failures after failures when it matters the most. KKR, too, are going towards that direction, it seems.
Two negative results out of nowhere, that too within a week, just prove the IPL 2024 champs do not look like the champions any longer.
Coming to chase a mammoth 239, KKR had raced to 162/3 in just 13 overs. Yet they, who boast of having a batting line-up which does not seem to be ended, fell like a pack of cards. They were four runs short of LSG’s total in the end, showing either that they have been lacking courage or that there is no clarity in players’ roles lately.
9 Out Of 12 From IPL 2024, Yet The Frustration!
It is always hard to retain a champion side before the auction. Of course, most of them would be in high demand, and the way KKR had performed throughout the tournament with sheer dominance, the value for each regular could only go higher.
Yet, KKR managed to claim as many as nine out of 12 regulars (including impact substitutes) from last season by some way. It was smart to be honest, but the absence of Gautam Gambhir has started to be felt.
The chokers tag is still hanging by a thread over KKR, as the IPL 2025 points table is wide open. Despite time running out, the only good part for KKR at this point is that they get a much-required break before facing Gujarat Titans next week. Will they learn from their mistakes by re-installing fighting spirit? Well, we shall find it out soon.
Perhaps labelling KKR chokers is not justified just yet. Nevertheless, the Mullanpur result was required, not only for the fans but also for the management to give them a reality check.
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