Vaibhav Arora Excited To Return To Kolkata Knight Riders For IPL 2025 Season

February 11, 2025: After playing a key role in Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) title-winning campaign in the IPL 2024, pacer Vaibhav Arora is thrilled to return to the Purple and Gold for the upcoming 2025 season. Arora, who bagged 11 wickets in 10 matches during the 17th edition of the IPL, made a significant impact with his ability to swing the new ball, posing a challenge for the batters. The 27-year-old is eager to build on his success with KKR, a franchise he holds close to his heart.

In an emotional statement, Arora shared his deep connection with the team, which he has been part of for the last four seasons. “It was special to be back with KKR. I’ve been with the Knight Riders since the last four seasons and there is an emotional attachment with the franchise. It feels like my own family. So, when KKR picked me again, I was relieved to go back to the team I won the title with last year. I didn’t want to play for any other team,” he said.

The pacer has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to expand his skillset, focusing not only on his success during the powerplay but also on his ability to perform in the death overs. Coming off an impressive domestic season, Arora is keen to contribute in all stages of the game. “I did well in the powerplay in 2024, and I’ll take confidence from that. However, I have worked on my death bowling, and I want to be as effective as possible even at that stage of the game. I’ve focused on my slower ones, yorkers, and other variations even in red ball cricket. I’ll try to bring that same execution to white ball cricket to try and do well at any stage of the game,” he shared.

Arora credits former Indian cricketer and current KKR bowling coach Bharat Arun for his development. “I’ve worked with Bharat sir in the last couple of years, and this will be the third year. The way he shares his experiences and learnings has helped me become a better bowler each year. So hopefully, I’ll do even better under his guidance this year and try to make the team win,” Arora added.

Arora has also developed a strong bowling partnership with fellow pacer Harshit Rana. The two bowlers have been highly effective together, with their chemistry both on and off the field playing a crucial role in their success. “This is our third year together. We didn’t get a chance to play together initially, but when we did, we had done well for the team. Even last year when we won the trophy, as a partnership, we worked well together from both ends. When you’re bowling in partnerships, there’s a different relation you create off the field as well. This year, he was retained, and I was bought in the auction. It feels like the brothers have reunited again,” Arora said.

Looking ahead to the upcoming season, Vaibhav acknowledged the pressure of expectations from fans and the challenge of defending the title. “There is an expectation from the fans, and trying to match those expectations is always fun. Winning the trophy once is amazing, but the real challenge is to continue doing that season after season. It’s a different kind of challenge, and it will be enjoyable in those circumstances,” he said.

For Arora, one of the key aspects that sets KKR apart from other teams is the unwavering support from their passionate fans, particularly those at Eden Gardens. “The support we get from the fans in Kolkata is our strength. We want to play for them and live up to their expectations because they motivate us so much. We won the trophy last season, and we will try to do the same this year,” he concluded.

With the 2025 IPL season on the horizon, Arora is determined to continue his evolution as a bowler and help KKR defend their title, driven by the love and support of the fans that make KKR feel like home.