The Kolkata Knight Riders are out of IPL 2025. Officially eliminated from playoff contention, the defending champions saw their campaign end not with a fight, but with rain halting play against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on May 17. While the rain may have been the final nail, many believe the hammer was lifted much earlier at the auction table.
Match abandoned due to rain 💔
Next stop: Delhi, to take on Sunrisers Hyderabad. pic.twitter.com/NZJ8Twfy68
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) May 17, 2025
This year’s Kolkata Knight Riders never resembled the well-oiled machine that stormed to the title in 2024. Instead, KKR looked disjointed, inconsistent, and at times, oddly rigid. A combination of puzzling decisions and a baffling auction strategy has left fans and experts questioning the direction the franchise is heading in. Yes, KKR is out of IPL 2025. But to understand why, we need to take a closer look at the missteps that brought them here.
KKR Is Out of IPL 2025：What Went Wrong？
KKR’s IPL 2025 record of 5 wins, 6 losses, and 1 no result is a far cry from their dominant 9-win campaign last year. The difference? Several self-inflicted wounds that began before the first ball was even bowled. At the core of their issues was KKR’s auction strategy, which many believe set the tone for a forgettable season. Here are some of the key issues that derailed KKR’s season:
What a Champion’s morning looks like 😴🏆 pic.twitter.com/x4ADGzic8E
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) May 27, 2024
1. Releasing Shreyas Iyer：Leadership Blunder
Letting go of captain Shreyas Iyer was perhaps the most shocking decision KKR made post their IPL 2024 triumph. Under Iyer’s leadership, the team had struck the perfect balance between aggression and composure. Yet, for reasons still unclear, the franchise moved on from him, allowing Punjab Kings to swoop in.
Playoffs Calling 📞 🤩
A long wait ends for Punjab Kings as they secure the all-important 𝐐 ❤
Will they clinch a 🔝 2️⃣ finish? #TATAIPL | #DCvGT | @PunjabKingsIPL pic.twitter.com/s12W5GOvwP
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 18, 2025
The result? Shreyas Iyer is now leading Punjab to a stellar season in IPL 2025, while KKR is out of IPL 2025. The new captain, Ajinkya Rahane, lacked the tactical sharpness and T20 fluency needed in this format. As Sunil Gavaskar rightly pointed out, “It’s the captain who plays a major role in what’s happening in the middle, not someone sitting in the dugout.”
2. Overspending on Venkatesh Iyer
In a move that puzzled many, KKR splurged on Venkatesh Iyer at the auction despite his inconsistent returns in the last few seasons. The team hoped he would recapture his 2021 form, but cricket rarely works on nostalgia.
So many new memories to make together 💜 pic.twitter.com/56zTfjqbdv
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) November 24, 2024
Venkatesh failed to provide stability in the middle order, and his underwhelming performances further exposed the lack of dependable Indian batters in the lineup. For a franchise that needed to strengthen its core, this was a major miscalculation, and it’s one reason why KKR is eliminated from IPL 2025.
3. Breaking the Salt-Narine Opening Pair
In T20 cricket, good opening partnerships are gold, and KKR had struck it rich in 2024 with Phil Salt and Sunil Narine. The duo regularly gave blistering starts, setting up games from the get-go.
Yet, in 2025, Salt was let go. The rationale? Unknown. The result? Disastrous. KKR struggled to find a settled pair at the top, and the instability spilled over into the middle order. With no solid foundation, even the likes of Andre Russell and Rinku Singh couldn’t turn things around consistently. It’s just another factor in why KKR is out of IPL 2025.
4. Inflexible Batting Strategy
Modern T20 teams win not just with talent, but with adaptability. Unfortunately, that was missing this season. KKR rigidly stuck to their batting order even when it wasn’t working.
There were multiple games where Andre Russell or Rinku Singh could’ve been sent in early to counterattack, but they were instead held back. Rahane’s conservative captaincy often failed to seize the moment, and that cost the team dearly. In a tournament where matchups and momentum are everything, KKR stayed a step behind. This inflexibility, combined with an ageing core, left fans frustrated and contributed to the painful reality that KKR is eliminated from IPL 2025.
5. Disruption in Support Staff
Another silent but significant setback was the departure of long-serving mentor Gautam Gambhir and batting coach Abhishek Nayar. The change was abrupt and left the team scrambling to rebuild internal chemistry.
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The new coaching staff struggled to establish the same rapport, and that reflected in poor planning and questionable execution. From KKR’s auction strategy to in-game tactics, the team looked underprepared throughout the season. KKR is out of IPL 2025, and this transition in the backroom staff played a key role in their downfall.
Looking Ahead：What Next for KKR？
The Kolkata Knight Riders are at a crossroads. KKR’s auction strategy failed them this year, and without some introspection, they risk slipping into another cycle of mediocrity. It’s time for bold decisions. The reliance on ageing stars like Narine, Russell, and Rahane needs to be reconsidered. While their legacy is undisputed, form and fitness in T20 cricket are fleeting. KKR must start backing younger players with long-term potential.
Other franchises have shown the way. Mumbai Indians nailed their auction with smart picks. Punjab backed local talent like Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh. Gujarat displayed tactical clarity, while RCB finally showed squad depth beyond their top three. With access to global scouting and data analytics, KKR’s auction strategy needs to evolve. The question is, will the management act or repeat the same mistakes?
Conclusion
The rain in Bengaluru may have washed away KKR’s final hope, but the storm was brewing for months. KKR is out of IPL 2025 not because of misfortune, but because of flawed decisions from the auction table to the dugout.
In a game that’s evolving every season, KKR stayed still. And now, they’re paying the price. KKR is eliminated from IPL 2025, and this season will be remembered not just for on-field struggles, but for off-field missteps that could’ve been avoided. With the right decisions ahead, the Knights can rise again. But for now, IPL 2025 stands as a harsh reminder of how KKR’s auction strategy derailed the defending champions.
