April 12, 2025: Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar has applauded the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for correcting a tactical error in their batting order by promoting Rinku Singh during their match against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Bangar emphasized that KKR is evolving as a team and learning from its past mistakes.
In earlier matches, Rinku Singh was frequently sent to bat lower down the order at positions 6 or 7. However, in the recent clash against CSK, the left-hander was promoted to number 4 — a move Bangar believes was crucial and timely.
“They picked the right squad. They were very circumspect of the fact that the mistake that they did in the previous game [against Lucknow Super Giants] of delaying Rinku Singh — wait till the very end. They promoted him to No. 4 [against CSK]. So they clearly are understanding what their mistakes have been,” Bangar said.
He added that KKR’s willingness to adapt is a sign of a team that’s on the right path. Referring to previous decisions like benching young Angkrish Raghuvanshi at the right moment, Bangar said that KKR is steadily ticking the right boxes as they progress in the tournament.
“In the earlier instances, they played Angkrish in the earlier games. They sensed that they had taken the right call to have him on the bench and not necessarily in the playing XI straightaway when they were batting first. So they are a team which is slowly and steadily trying to learn from the mistakes that they are making and what needs to be done; they are trying to fill those boxes on the go,” he added.
KKR’s proactive mindset and flexibility in decision-making could prove pivotal as the season progresses. Their recent win over CSK has not only boosted their morale but also reasserted their intent to stay competitive in IPL 2025.