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Aakash Chopra’s ‘unpopular opinion’ on KKR: ‘Don’t play Rahane-Raghuvanshi together’

Rahane and Raghuvanshi stabilised the team after KKR had lost both their openers against SRH by the third over. While KKR captain Rahane scored 38 (from 27), Raghuvanshi registered a half century against his name.

Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Ajinkya Rahane of Kolkata Knight Riders during the IPL 2025 match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. (PHOTO: Sportzpics for IPL)

Kolkata Knight Riders may have strolled to a victory by a whopping 80-run margin against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday evening at the Eden Gardens, but there were still weak spots in their batting order, according to cricketer-turned-analyst Aakash Chopra.

After KKR’s victory over the team from Hyderabad, Chopra posted an ‘unpopular opinion’ on his X handle about the defending champions.

“Unpopular opinion — Especially a day after KKR wins by 80 runs and both (Ajinkya) Rahane-(Angkrish) Raghuvanshi scored runs. But still. Here goes — If KKR really wants to realise the full potential of the batting power they’ve accumulated, they must not play Rahane-Raghuvanshi together,” Chopra posted.

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His views came after a game where KKR had lost both their openers against SRH by the third over and then saw Rahane and Raghuvanshi stabilise the team. Later, fireworks from Venkatesh Iyer and Rinku Singh saw the side set a target of 201 runs. While KKR captain Rahane scored 38 (from 27), Raghuvanshi registered a half century against his name.

Chopra continued: “Shocking stat — Rinku (Singh) has batted 16 balls in an innings only twice since the start of last season. Second time was yesterday. Venky (Venkatesh Iyer) must not bat at 5. And Ramandeep at 9. What happened yesterday (the incredible onslaught in the last-5) might not happen every time.”

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KKR are still finding their feet in IPL 2025 after losing their leadership before the start of the season. Their IPL-winning leader Shreyas Iyer left to join Punjab Kings while Kolkata opted to name Rahane as his successor.

After four games, KKR are currently in fifth position, with two wins and two defeats from their four games so far.

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