Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have endured two batting collapses in their three IPL 2025 matches so far. If they are to defend the title this season, KKR batters will have to lift their game sooner than later.
The new opening pair of Sunil Narine and Quinton de Kock has failed to make a mark, while big guns like Venkatesh Iyer, Andre Russell and Rinku Singh have not been able to set the stage on fire.
In their last outing against Mumbai Indians, KKR were bundled out for 116 in 16.2 overs at the Wankhede Stadium.
Amid the dismal batting performance, Ramandeep Singh, one of KKR's four retained players from their title-winning campaign last year, has expressed his desire to bat at the top of the order.
"Main toh chahta hu mujhe open kara de. Meri toh wahi koshish rehti hai. (I want to open the batting. I always try to bat up the order)," said Ramandeep with a smile in the post-match press conference after KKR lost to MI by 8 wickets.
Ramandeep, who managed to score 22 of 12 balls with two sixes while batting at No. 9 against MI, is ready to bat wherever the team wants him to do.
“Team ka jaha combination set hai, jaha team mein mujhe opportunity milti hai, mujhe waha accha karne ki koshish karni hai. Match-winner banne ki koshish karni hai. (We have a set combination, I am ready to bat anywhere the team wants me to. I will to produced match-winning knocks there)," he added.
Due to the dynamics of the mega auction, KKR have lost players like Phil Salt, last year's captain Shreyas Iyer, and fast bowler Mitchell Starc. Ramandeep explained why he is not a big fan of the grand auction every three years.
"Mega auctions are disheartening. You set a combination, and then every three years you have to change the team. But that is not an excuse; teams will try and find their winning combinations as quickly as possible, and we are trying to find our winning combination as well," he remarked.
With two points in three matches, KKR are currently occupying the last spot in the 10-team points table. They will next face Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Eden Gardens on April 3.
