The Kolkata Knight Riders entered IPL 2025 riding high as defending champions—but what followed was a sharp and unexpected fall. KKR crashed out early, finishing 8th on the points table, failing to even make the playoffs. It was a season marked by misfiring strategies, patchy performances, and an alarming decline in their batting firepower. In fact, the team registered the lowest aggregate run tally and batting average across all franchises—something that would have been unthinkable just a year ago.

KKR Worst Players in IPL 2025：Fallen Knights of the Purple Army

While a few players showed individual brilliance, inconsistency and lack of depth defined the campaign. Much of the disappointment stemmed from key players failing to perform when it mattered most. Here, we take a closer look at some of the KKR worst players in IPL 2025, based on expectations, roles, and overall contribution…or lack thereof.

1. Quinton de Kock – One Knock Doesn’t Save a Season

Brought in for INR 3.6 crore, Quinton de Kock was expected to bring explosive starts and stability to KKR’s top order. However, the South African wicketkeeper-batsman had an erratic season. In 8 matches, he scored just 152 runs at an average of 21.71 and a strike rate of 129.91.

Quinton de Kock’s Batting in IPL 2025

While his 97 in one game* reminded fans of his capabilities, it was surrounded by innings where he failed to cross 15 runs. As an opener partnered with Sunil Narine, De Kock’s lack of consistency cost KKR heavily in the powerplay. For a player of his calibre, his season was underwhelming, placing him among the KKR worst players in IPL 2025, especially considering how much pressure was on the top order to deliver.

2. Venkatesh Iyer – Big Price, Low Return

Perhaps the most hotly debated name in KKR’s squad this season was Venkatesh Iyer. Retained for a staggering INR 23.75 crore, Iyer had the expectations of a marquee player, but he simply couldn’t live up to the billing.

Venkatesh Iyer’s Batting in IPL 2025

In 11 matches, he managed 142 runs at an average of 20.29, with just one fifty to his name. Despite a decent strike rate of 139.22, his inability to build partnerships or stay at the crease made him a liability in the middle order. His performances were so underwhelming that he was even dropped toward the end of the season. For the price tag and role, he clearly stands out as one of KKR worst buys in IPL 2025.

3. Rinku Singh – Expectations Too High?

Rinku Singh, who had cemented his reputation as a reliable finisher in previous seasons, found himself in a tough spot in 2025. In 13 matches, he scored 206 runs at an average of 29.43 and a strike rate of 153.73. On paper, the numbers look decent, but they’re a bit misleading.

Rinku Singh’s Batting in IPL 2025

Rinku’s average was inflated by not-outs, and he never truly got going, with just one notable score of 38*. Often left with too much to do in too little time, his role as KKR’s finisher didn’t pan out this year. While he may not be among the KKR worst players in IPL 2025 purely on stats, his impact was minimal, especially given how much the team relied on him for late-innings heroics.

4. Andre Russell – A Shadow of the Match-Winner We Knew

Once the most feared all-rounder in T20 cricket, Andre Russell struggled across the board in IPL 2025. With the bat, he scored 167 runs in 13 matches at an average of 18.56 (despite a strike rate of 163.73), and with the ball, he managed 8 wickets, but was highly expensive throughout.

Andre Russell’s Batting in IPL 2025’s Batting in IPL 2025

Russell’s inability to finish games with the bat or provide breakthroughs in key overs made his presence feel more ceremonial than impactful. His inclusion started to draw criticism, with many feeling he was surviving more on past glory than current form. Unfortunately, this places him among KKR’s worst performers in IPL 2025, a sentiment echoed across fan forums and pundit panels alike.

Final Thoughts

From defending champions to an early exit, KKR’s IPL 2025 campaign was one the franchise would rather forget. And at the heart of their decline were key players who didn’t step up—be it big-name buys like Quinton de Kock or retention gambles like Venkatesh Iyer. For a team that relied on its batting to set the tone, underwhelming outputs from Russell, Rinku, and Iyer left them constantly playing catch-up.

Signing off! Until next time 💜 pic.twitter.com/7zaBA6kPDw

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) May 27, 2025

While some of these players may bounce back in future seasons, their current form and high price tags have rightly put them in conversations around the KKR worst players in IPL 2025, and in certain cases, as the KKR worst buys in IPL 2025. Looking ahead, KKR will need to reassess its auction strategy, refresh its middle order, and perhaps rethink its dependency on aging stars. Because in a league as ruthless as the IPL, reputations alone don’t win matches—performances do.