Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) middle-order batter Ramandeep Singh expressed discontent over Indian Premier League’s (IPL) mega auction, after his team’s eight-wicket defeat against Mumbai Indians (MI) at the distinguished Wankhede Stadium on Monday, March 31. Playing their third game of the season, Kolkata batters looked completely out of rhythm against Mumbai’s formidable pace bowling. The defending champions surrendered on 116 in 16.2 overs, following Ramandeep’s dismissal at the hand of spinner Mitchell Santner. Mumbai chased down the target in just 12.5 overs and added two vital points to their profile on the tally.
Following the match, Ramandeep attended a press conference and said that the teams are yet to find their perfect combinations after going through reforms at the mega auction. "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, and we are trying to find our winning combination as well," remarked Ramandeep following the contest against MI. The hammering at the hands of MI has thrown Kolkata at the bottom of the points table with one win and two colossal defeats.
Ramandeep Singh wants to open for KKR in IPL 2025
Ramandeep, who was KKR’s one of the six retentions for IPL 2025, is keen to serve his team as a top-order batter. Kolkata have utilised him as a lower-middle-order batsman mostly but the 27-year-old wants to open the innings for the three-time IPL champions. "Main toh chahta hu mujhhe open kara de. Meri toh wahi koshish rehti hai. (I want to open the batting. I always strive to bat up the order),” said Ramandeep wearing a smile on his face.
Against Mumbai, he came to bat at number nine and produced a knock of 22 off just 12. It was his batting effort that helped Knight Riders cross the 100-run mark. KKR will next square off against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the iconic Eden Gardens on April 3.
