Cricketer-turned-expert Aakash Chopra has shed light on what Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) should avoid ahead of their next clash against bottom-placed Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Wednesday, May 07. Chopra has said skipper Ajinkya Rahane and Angrish Raghuvanshi should not bat together if KKR are determined to get two points on account of a win against CSK at Eden Gardens.
Currently, KKR has 11 points from as many games and needs to win all three games to harbor hopes of qualifying for the playoffs. Even one loss could end the three-time IPL winners' hopes of winning their fourth title. Previewing the important clash, Chopra stated that KKR should not bat Rahane and Raghuvanshi at the same time.
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"When you see this team's pedigree, expertise, and experience, you ask why they haven't qualified yet. What are the pain points? Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Ajinkya Rahane cannot bat together. They should not be batting together. If Rahane is batting well, hold Raghuvanshi back. If Rahane has gotten out, send Raghuvanshi, but when both of them bat together, it seems like they are going slow," he said.
The former cricketer also stated that KKR has not used all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer properly in the ongoing IPL 2025 season. Chopra cited the example of Andre Russell and said that explosive batters need to face more balls to have a bigger impact on the game.
"You aren't able to use your firepower. You didn't pay so much money to Venkatesh Iyer to make him sit out. Send him in. You sent Russell early in the last match, and you saw the difference it made. You won the match by one run, and you scored 80-85 runs after 10 overs. It seemed like you were going fine. How were you going fine?" he elaborated.
Aakash Chopra wants KKR to bring Quinton de Kock in place of Gurbaz
Chopra also said that KKR should bring back the experienced wicketkeeper batter Quinton de Kock in place of the struggling Rahmanullah Gurbaz against CSK in today's clash.
Also Read: KKR vs CSK Pitch Report & Weather Updates at Eden Gardens, Kolkata: IPL 2025 Match 57
"I would say bring him back. When I compare Gurbaz and Quinton de Kock, I feel Quinton de Kock is a better option. Correct the opening partnership. Somehow figure out a way to get that right. If runs are scored there, things will start becoming fine," Chopra observed.
