Synopsis
Vaibhav Arora, excited about his return to KKR for IPL 2025, shares his emotional bond with the franchise after a successful IPL 2024. He aims to expand his bowling skills and embrace the pressure of fan expectations.Key Takeaways
- Emotional connection with the KKR franchise.
- Impressive stats from IPL 2024.
- Focus on evolving as a well-rounded bowler.
- Strong partnership with Harshit Rana.
- Excitement for fan expectations and repeat success.
Kolkata, Feb 11 (NationPress) Following a pivotal role in the Kolkata Knight Riders’ championship journey in IPL 2024, Vaibhav Arora is thrilled to return to the Purple and Gold for the upcoming 2025 season, expressing his deep emotional connection with the franchise.
The right-arm fast bowler claimed 11 wickets in 10 matches during the 17th IPL edition, challenging batsmen with his knack for swinging the new ball. Now back with the Knight Riders, he is overjoyed to rejoin a franchise that feels like family.
“Returning to KKR was truly special. I’ve been part of the Knight Riders for four seasons, and I feel a strong emotional bond with the franchise. It’s like my own family. So, when KKR selected me again, I felt relieved to go back to the team that won the title last year. I had no desire to play for any other team,” he stated.
The 27-year-old has been diligently working behind the scenes, aiming to evolve beyond just a new ball bowler. Coming off a remarkable domestic season, he is eager to contribute at every stage of the game.
“I performed well during the powerplay in 2024, and I’ll draw confidence from that. However, I’ve honed my death bowling skills and wish to be as impactful as possible, even during that phase of the game. I’ve concentrated on my slower deliveries, yorkers, and various other techniques, even in red ball cricket. I’ll strive to apply that same precision to white ball cricket to excel in any situation,” he added.
Collaborating with Bharat Arun, the former Indian player and current KKR bowling coach, has been crucial in shaping Vaibhav’s development over the past few years. Acknowledging his coach’s influence, he remarked, “I’ve worked with Bharat sir for the last couple of years; this will be our third year together. The insights he shares have helped me evolve into a better bowler each year. I aspire to perform even better under his mentorship this season and aim to contribute to the team’s success.
Vaibhav has also established a potent partnership with Harshit Rana, forming a formidable duo that has wreaked havoc on opposing teams. The two share excellent camaraderie both on and off the field and are eager to reunite.
“This marks our third year together. While we didn’t initially have the chance to play alongside each other, once we did, we made significant contributions to the team. Even last year, during our trophy-winning campaign, we collaborated effectively from both ends.
When you bowl in partnerships, a unique bond forms off the field as well. This year, he was retained, and I was acquired in the auction. It feels like brothers have come together again.”
Considering the pressure and responsibility he will embrace for the team this season, Vaibhav acknowledged, “Fans have expectations, and striving to meet those is always exciting. Winning the trophy once is fantastic, but the real challenge lies in repeating that success season after season. It presents a unique challenge that I find enjoyable.”
Vaibhav also shared insights on what distinguishes the Knight Riders from other teams and his experiences playing in front of the home crowd at Eden Gardens. “The support we receive from fans in Kolkata is our strength. We aim to play for them and meet their expectations because their motivation drives us greatly. We won the trophy last season, and we’ll aim to replicate that success this year,” he concluded.
