Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders have not been able to display the same consistency as last year in the Indian Premier League 2025. (Full Coverage | Points Table | Cricket News)
KKR had lost just three games in their title-winning campaign last year. This year, they have already lost as many in the first five games. Gautam Gambhir, who returned to KKR as mentor for last season, was a vital cog in KKR's support staff. However, his success with KKR meant he was roped in as India head coach and thus had to left the franchise.
Are KKR missing Gambhir this year?
"An individual like him, in any dressing room, you'll always miss him, obviously," says KKR lower-order batter Ramandeep Singh. "But I think DJ (Bravo) has a very strong champion mindset in the team. His logo is that he's a champion. And seriously, he's a champion. He's trying to bring that mindset in every individual."
Ramandeep was speaking on the eve of KKR's clash with Punjab Kings which takes place Tuesday, March 15.
Talking about his role in the team, Ramandeep said: "I've been given 5-7 roles in this team. The situation that the team demands, I try to play according to that situation. Obviously, you learn a lot from every match. I'm also trying to gain as much experience as possible, so that I can make myself a match winner."
Talking about the difference in the captaincy of their last year's captain Shreyas Iyer and this season's skipper Ajinkya Rahane, Ramandeep said: "To be honest, both of them are very good captains. I don't think there's anything lacking in either of them. But I think Ajinkya Rahane brings a lot of calmness in the dugout. He's the type of player that every youngster should idolise. His personality, the way he keeps himself around the game, everyone knows how he performs. Meanwhile, Shreyas has a very confident nature, executes his plans. I don't think there's anything lacking in either of them. But their game of play is different."
KKR have lost and won in alternative games this season. If they beat Punjab Kings in their next game, they will finally win back-to-back games for the first time this season.
