Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) batter Ramandeep Singh recently expressed his disappointment with the KKR’s Ramandeep Singh Criticizes IPL Mega-Auction After Loss to Mumbai Indians system after their crushing defeat to Mumbai Indians (MI) on Monday. Following the loss, Ramandeep raised concerns about how every three years, teams are forced to make significant changes to their squads. This change, he believes, impacts teams’ ability to maintain a consistent winning combination.
KKR’s Struggles in IPL 2025
In the 2025 season, KKR have faced a tough start, winning just one match out of the three they’ve played so far. Their most recent match against MI was a disaster, as they were bowled out for a mere 116 runs. MI’s bowlers, including Trent Boult, Deepak Chahar, and debutant Ashwani Kumar, dominated the match with aggressive pace bowling, leaving KKR struggling to get runs on the board.
The KKR squad, despite winning the IPL title in 2024, had to undergo major changes after the mega-auction. Under the IPL rules, only a few players are retained every three years, forcing teams like KKR to rebuild their rosters. As a result, even though they won the championship last year, the team had to adjust and form a new combination of players for this season.
The Impact of the Mega-Auction on Team Combinations
Ramandeep’s frustration with the auction system was clear during the post-match press conference. He mentioned how difficult it is for teams to maintain a stable lineup when every three years they must rebuild their squad. “Mega auctions are disheartening. You set a combination, and then every three years you have to change the team. But that is not an excuse; teams will try and find their winning combinations as quickly as possible,” he said.
This situation is not unique to KKR. Many IPL teams face similar challenges with the ever-changing nature of the auction. Even if teams perform well in one season, they might need to find new players for the next, which can disrupt team chemistry and performance.
KKR’s Performance So Far This Season
KKR’s journey in IPL 2025 has been a mixture of highs and lows. Their first match of the season was a defeat to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), where they were outplayed by Rajat Patidar and his team. However, they bounced back in their second match against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati, securing a much-needed victory.
Despite the loss to MI, KKR’s captain Ajinkya Rahane remained optimistic, focusing on the need for the team to build better partnerships. “Collective batting failure. It was a good wicket to bat on. 180-190 would have been good on this wicket,” Rahane said after the MI match. He emphasized the importance of learning from the match and making quick improvements to keep the team competitive.
Looking Ahead: KKR’s Hopes for a Comeback
KKR now heads back to their home ground for their upcoming match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 3. The team will be hoping to turn their season around with a victory against the Pat Cummins-led side, a team they managed to beat three times last season. KKR will need to bounce back quickly and find the right combination to stay in the competition.
Conclusion
Ramandeep Singh’s comments reflect the ongoing struggle that IPL teams face due to the mega-auction system. While it provides opportunities for fresh talent, it also forces teams to constantly adapt and rework their combinations, making it harder to maintain consistency. For KKR, the focus will now be on recovering from their recent defeats and finding a winning formula as they face their next challenge against Sunrisers Hyderabad.