Last Updated on 2 months by Charbel Coorey
Just like in 2024, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have thrashed Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPL 2025, sparking widespread reactions. KKR found themselves in early trouble after Quinton de Kock and Sunil Narine were out cheaply, but they totally dominated thereafter.
Ajinkya Rahane (38 off 27) and Angrish Raghuvanshi (50 off 32) led a recovery. Both were dismissed in quick succession in the 11th and 13th overs, giving SRH an avenue back in the contest. However, SRH’s bowling, which has lacked control and threat so far this season, failed to capitalise, with Venkatesh Iyer (60 off 29) and Rinku Singh (32* off 17) putting away some poor death bowling.
At the halfway mark, 200 seemed plenty on a surface offering some grip. Strangely, SRH opted to bowl just four overs of spin, especially when you consider the tweakers took combined figures of 2/29.
“The messages that they [Ajinkya Rahane and Raghuvanshi] sent during the time-out, they made us understand that it’s not an easy pitch to just go out there and hit. You have to take your time,” Venkatesh said to reporters, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. “Ball was sticking a little, it was turning.”
With the bat, SRH had no intentions of having a look first. KKR’s attack is too good for such an approach, with all bowlers enjoying success in the franchise’s fifth-straight win against SRH. Spinners Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy were difficult to get away, with man of the match Vaibhav Arora (3/29) delivering in spades after dismissing Travis Head second ball.
KKR vs SRH Twitter Reactions: Kolkata win fifth-straight match against Hyderabad
SRH criticised for poor all-round show
SRH were terrible. They bowled and fielded poorly, and backed it up with another disappointing batting display where they were chasing their tails from the first few overs.
SRH find themselves in a confusing predicament. Going hard is their mantra and why they enjoyed a run to the final last season. However, they are struggling to find a balance. It feels like every ball must go for a four or six.
After three straight heavy losses in IPL 2025, SRH need to get their act together as a playoffs’ berth will slip away sooner rather than later.
Here are some reactions to SRH’s predicament.
Tactics and Cummins questioned as SRH focus on pace
SRH bowling just four overs of spin came in for criticism. They brought Kamindu Mendis into the XI instead of Adam Zampa or Wiaan Mulder, and the move paid immediate dividends as the Sri Lankan dismissed Angkrish Raghuvanshi.
Mendis, who can bowl with both arms, should be a big asset for SRH on a pitch offering assistance for the spinners. Instead, Cummins didn’t use him until the 13th over. Worse, he bowled just the one over.
Raghuvanshi, Venkatesh, Rahane and Rinku deliver for KKR before bowlers dismantle SRH
It was a great all-round show by KKR, who bounced back nicely after the thrashing in Mumbai a few nights ago. After a strong showing by the middle order, all five bowlers took at least one wicket, including 3/29 by Arora who set things up in the powerplay along with Harshit Rana.
Next up for SRH is a home game against in the in-form Gujarat Titans (GT) on Sunday. GT have won two straight matches and are on a high after beating Royal Challengers Bengaluru away at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
KKR will be looking to build on this win when they take on Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at Eden Gardens on Tuesday afternoon.
