Kolkata Knight Riders pacer Vaibhav Arora emphasised that the side is not giving up on their hopes of making it to the IPL 2025 playoffs, despite their washed-out clash against Punjab Kings adding a layer of difficulty to it.
While the KKR vs PBKS clash getting washed out on April 26 complicated the qualification maths for the defending champions, Arora explained how even the smallest of margins could help them seal their spot in the final four.
As KKR were denied the chance to chase the 202-run target set by PBKS due to rain interrupting proceedings in Kolkata – it now means that the defending champions ideally need to win all of their remaining five matches to fully seal a playoffs berth. Speaking at the post-match press conference, Vaibhav Arora asserted that KKR will not dial down their drive for the top-four and will fight till the very end.
“Actually, it depends on how things play out at the end. Even one point can make a huge difference. We could qualify by just a one-point margin if we win our next match. So, we are taking today’s point positively,” Vaibhav Arora said.
“We will try to win the next match, and you never know – this single point might be what takes us into the playoffs,” he added.
The defending champions have had their fair share of woes this season, leaving them struggling for momentum at seventh spot in the IPL 2025 points table with just 7 points. Sunrisers Hyderabad trail them by only one point, while LSG and MI are ahead with 10 points each, and PBKS sit at number four with 11 points.
Although it is still too early to say whether net run rate will play a decisive role in KKR’s qualification drive, their first and foremost focus is to win matches – starting with their upcoming clash against an in-form Delhi Capitals.