IPL 2025 | "No excuses, we have to win now": KKR head coach Chandrakant Pandit

The former India stumper backed mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy and middle-order batter Venkatesh Iyer to step up against RR.

As Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) fight to keep their Playoff hopes alive, head coach Chandrakant Pandit remains optimistic of a solid show ahead of Sunday’s clash with Rajasthan Royals (RR) at Eden Gardens here. KKR are placed seventh in the points table with four wins in 10 matches and have to win all four remaining games to stay in contention for a Top-4 spot. “I still believe we can qualify if we manage to win the next four matches,” a confident Pandit told Sunday mid-day. 

Pandit admitted that KKR have not clicked consistently as a team, but believes nothing is impossible going forward, “Ours is a good team, but did not click consistently. Bad luck also played a part. No excuses, we have to win now, and we believe it is possible,” he stressed. “We have everything to win a match — batting, spin bowling, pace… sab hain [we have it all], but we are just not clicking together,” Pandit added.

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The former India stumper backed mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy and middle-order batter Venkatesh Iyer to step up against RR. “Unfortunately, Varun is also not in the best form (13 wickets in 10 matches) like he was in the Champions Trophy in Dubai. He’s working very hard to get back his rhythm. He may win the match for us on Sunday. We still believe Venkatesh can also win a match. He is trying to come out of the pressure zone,” said Pandit, who played five Tests and 36 ODIs for India.

The coach also lavished praise on captain Ajinkya Rahane’s calm leadership. “We have a lovely captain in Ajinkya Rahane — very cool and handles situations very well on the ground; good to see him as a commendable captain. His communication skills are also very good, talking to every cricketer and trying his best to encourage them. He is also batting well,” Pandit concluded.

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