Rovman Powell hopes the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) remain measured in their pursuit of a playoff position in IPL 2025. With five losses in their nine completed matches, KKR need to win their last four games to realistically qualify for the playoffs.
Before their upcoming home match against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Sunday, Powell stressed the importance of focusing on each game. Reflecting on their recent 14-run victory over Delhi Capitals, he said, “At the start of the season, it’s a position that we wouldn’t want to find ourselves in, but our destiny is still in our own hands, and that’s a good place to be.” He added, “You can’t get too desperate; you still have to trust the process.”
Highlighting the unpredictability of the IPL and the importance of momentum, Powell noted that previous teams, like the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, have secured playoff spots by winning all remaining matches. “Whatever happened before in the first half of the competition is history. We all know that the IPL is won by a team that finds momentum at the back-end of the competition. And if we can do that, we give ourselves the best chance of being back champions,” Powell remarked.
Drawing on the experience within the KKR squad, Powell believes the wealth of international cricket experience among the overseas players could guide the team. He expressed regret about the missed opportunity against Punjab Kings, where they fell short of chasing just 112 runs. “If we should go back and look at the Punjab game, when we got 112 to make, that game really hurt us,” Powell admitted. “If we had gotten those two points, we would be sitting here with more smiles on our face.”
Ahead of facing RR, Powell acknowledged the threat posed by the opposition, despite RR having no chance of qualifying themselves. He mentioned their analysis of Mumbai Indians’ 100-run win over RR, as KKR looks to strengthen their strategy.
Overall, Powell conveys a mix of caution and optimism, urging his team to stay focused and united in their quest to turn their season around.
