KKR Advised to Drop This Batter and Adjust Venkatesh Iyer’s Batting Position Ahead of SRH Clash in IPL 2025
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have been advised to drop Angkrish Raghuvanshi from their playing XI and tweak Venkatesh Iyer’s batting position ahead of their upcoming IPL 2025 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
Venkatesh Iyer batted at No. 5 against Mumbai Indians but managed only 3 runs. In the second match, he did not get to bat as KKR lost just two wickets against Rajasthan Royals. In the first match, he played at No. 4 but was dismissed for just 6 runs.
Experts Suggest Iyer Should Bat at No. 4
Former cricketers Sanjay Bangar and Aakash Chopra have suggested that KKR should promote Venkatesh Iyer to No. 4 for better stability in the batting order.
Sanjay Bangar’s Analysis
Speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s Timeout Show, Sanjay Bangar expressed his concerns over KKR’s current batting lineup. He believes Angkrish Raghuvanshi should not bat at No. 4 and should primarily be used as an Impact Substitute.
Bangar also pointed out that having both Raghuvanshi and Ajinkya Rahane in the lineup forces other batters lower down the order, which is not ideal. He feels Iyer is not best suited for No. 5 and should move up to No. 4. Additionally, he questioned the logic behind Ramandeep Singh batting at No. 9.
“I’m not convinced about Raghuvanshi batting at No. 4. He should primarily be an impact sub if needed. With both Raghuvanshi and Rahane in the lineup, other players get pushed down the order. Iyer is better suited at No. 4, and Ramandeep at No. 9 doesn’t make sense. KKR should consider leaving out Raghuvanshi from the starting XI and using him as an Impact Sub.” – Sanjay Bangar
Aakash Chopra’s Perspective
Aakash Chopra agreed with Bangar’s views, emphasizing that Venkatesh Iyer’s best positions are No. 1, 2, or 3.
He pointed out that KKR invested heavily in Iyer, and for him to perform at his best, he must bat in a suitable position. However, the presence of Ajinkya Rahane, who also prefers the top order, complicates the batting order.
“Venkatesh Iyer should bat in positions 1, 2, or 3, as that’s where he has delivered his best performances. If he bats any lower, it becomes a problem. But Rahane is also suited for 1, 2, or 3, meaning the latest he should bat is No. 4. If Rahane comes in later, it won’t do justice to his ability. KKR needs to rethink their batting order for the best results.” – Aakash Chopra
What Should KKR Do?
- Promote Venkatesh Iyer to No. 4.
- Use Angkrish Raghuvanshi as an Impact Substitute instead of a regular No. 4 batter.
- Ensure Rahane bats at No. 4 at the latest.
Although Angkrish Raghuvanshi has potential, his presence at No. 4 forces Venkatesh Iyer to bat lower, which might not be ideal for KKR’s balance. A batting order shuffle could help the team maximize their performance.
