'We tried our best' - Ajinkya Rahane on KKR's failure to defend IPL 2024 title

Ajinkya Rahane opened up on KKR's failure in defending their title in the IPL 2025, following their loss to SRH in their last match of the season. In the post-match conference, Rahane accepted that KKR had a roller coaster of a ride in the 18th edition of the league. He agreed that the 2024 champions did not play well as a unit and had to pay the price.

Rahane felt it was the nature of the T20 format that winning or losing close games could decide the fate of a team. The KKR skipper felt that KKR's performance in the matches against PBKS, LSG, and CSK could have been slightly different.

"See, this season, I think for us, was kind of up and down. We had our moments, we had our chances, and I said that earlier also during those matches, as a unit, we didn't play well, really well. But again, this format, that's how it goes, you know. If you win close matches, those are the difference. And Kings XI Punjab game, LSG game, and also the CSK game, I thought those 2-3 games could have been slightly different," said Rahane at the post-match press conference.

We'll come back really stronger next year: Ajinkya Rahane

The star batter said that the players gave their everything in terms of preparations and execution. Rahane agreed that it is not easy to defend the title and hoped for KKR to return strongly in the 19th edition of the league.

"But I thought, as a captain, what I saw, what I felt, that preparation-wise, everyone tried their best, really their best. It's not easy when you win a championship and come into the next season, defending the championship. As a team, we tried our best. What I can say is, we'll come back really stronger next year," Rahane added.

KKR ended their campaign in the IPL 2025 with 5 wins and 7 losses in their 14 matches, with a couple of games having no result due to the interruption of rain. If LSG lose their last match of the season badly, KKR could finish the league in the 7th position.