As defending Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Kolkata Knight Riders languish in seventh position on the IPL 2025 points table prior to their 26 April revenge week clash against Punjab Kings, the major concern they are faced with is the ineffectiveness of their batting unit.
Among the more intimidating batting sides last season, Kolkata Knight Riders have had a few batting faux this year. The Ajinkya Rahane-led outfit failed to chase a meek target of 112 runs against Punjab Kings in the first leg tie, whilst they were dismissed for 116 by Mumbai Indians.
Assessing the reasons behind KKR’s struggles, JioStar expert RP Singh told The Quint:
There are multiple reasons behind KKR’s batting failure. Yes, you can say that they have batting depth till number nine, but when your top-order batters are not in form, depth does not mean much. Besides that, you can also say that they have not got the batting order right. The ones who are more in form than others have got limited opportunities. Moreover, Rinku Singh and Andre Russell's lack of form has also hurt them.RP Singh
Rinku, especially, has had a bizarre dip in form since his exemplary 2023 season, where he struck five consecutive sixes in an over. That, KKR won the 2024 edition, concealed an underwhelming 168 runs season for the Southpaw. However, with the team struggling this season, his diminishing returns have been exposed.
In eight matches, Rinku has assembled a mere 133 runs, at an average of 33.25 and an average of 146.15. According to RP Singh, who also hails from Rinku’s state, Uttar Pradesh, the batter is dealing with a confidence-related issue, as opposed to a technical one.
Assessing Rinku from the batting knowledge that I have, I don’t see him having any technical flaws in his game. Every batter faces a period in his career where he does not perform. Rinku is still a good batter, there is no doubt about that. He has played many match-winning knocks for KKR.RP Singh
Singh urged KKR’s support staff, which now includes Abhishek Nayar following the conclusion of his tenure with the Indian men’s team, to rekindle Rinku’s lost confidence.
In a situation like the one Rinku is in right now, the role of KKR’s support staff is of immense importance. The support staff’s job is not only to fix the batting technique of players, or to teach them game awareness. KKR’s support staff must assess Rinku’s nature and come up with ways of improving his confidence. Because once Rinku finds his form again, he can be a trump card for KKR.RP Singh