Picture : IPL / X
Defending Champions Kolkata Knight Riders kept alive their play-offs chances as they snatched a sensational 1 run win over Rajasthan Royals in a gripping Tata IPL 2025 encounter at Eden Gardens , Kolkata.
Earlier, needing win to stay in play-offs hunt, KKR Skipper Ajinkya Rahane opted to bat first after winning the toss. KKR Lost first wicket of Sunil Narine for 11 at 13/ 1 in 2 overs. Other KKR opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored 35 ( 25 balls, 4 fours, 1 six) he looked set for big one but was out.
Skipper Ajinkya Rahane 30 ( 24 balls , 1 four, 2 sixes) and talented Angkrish Raghuvanshi hit 44 ( 31 balls, 5 fours) as KKR looked forward to a big total.
The big total sight was done by Andre Russell , who blasted his way back to form after series of below par scores. Russell finally played like he does always with brute power. Russell smashed an unbeaten 57 ( 25 balls, 4 fours, 6 sixes) to add power to KKR total and gave them the perfect strong finish. Rinku Singh remained not out 19 ( 6 balls, 2 fours, 1 six) as KKR finished at 206/ 4 in their 20 overs.
RR Bowling : Jofra Archer 1/ 30 ( 4 overs) , Yudhvir Singh 1/ 26 ( 2 overs) , Maheesh Theekshana1/ 41 ( 4 overs) , Akash Madhwal 0/ 50 ( 3 overs), Wanindu Hasaranga 0/ 35 ( 4 overs) , Riyan Parag 1/ 21 ( 3 overs)
In reply to KKR , RR were rocked early with two wickets . 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi brought down to earth after his fiery ton out for 4 . Kunal Rathore ( 4), RR 8 / 2 in 1.5 overs. Yashasvi Jaiswal could not carry on after a start 34 ( 21 balls, 5 fours, 1 six) . RR batting woes continued with Dhruv Jurel ( 0) and Wanindu Hasaranga ( 0).
But RR Skipper Riyan Parag took the fight to the KKR camp with blazing innings and unfortunately missed a well- deserved ton scoring 95 ( 45 balls, 6 fours, 8 sixes) .
Shimron Hetmyer chipped in with 29 ( 23 balls , 1 four, 1 six) , Jofra Archer was run-out for 12 .Shubham Dubey remained not out 25 ( 14 balls, 1 four, 2 sixes) but failed to carry RR over the line as RR fell short yet again 2015/ 8 in their 20 overs.
The Royals required 22 runs off the last over but Impact Shubham Dubey launched Arora for two sixes and a four to bring the equation down to three runs off the final delivery.
But a smart field switch by Rahane placing Rinku Singh at long-off proved decisive as his sharp throw found Arora at non-striker’s end who ran out Jofra Archer to seal the thrilling win. The dejected look at RR head coach Rahul Dravid’s face said it all. RR batting coach Vikaram Rathour later admitted it was the fourth game this season where it should have won but lost.
KKR now have 11 points from as many games and have moved up to sixth on the points table but still need to win the remaining three matches to have a sniff at the play-offs.
KKR Bowling : Vaibhav Arora 1/ 50 ( 4 overs) , Moeen Ali 2/ 43 ( 4 overs), Harshit Rana 2/ 41 ( 4 overs) Varun Chakaravarthy 2/ 32 ( 4 overs), Sunil Narine 0/ 27 ( 4 overs) , Andre Russell 0/11 ( 1 over)
Match: IPL 2025, 53rd Match
Venue: Kolkata | Date: May 04, 2025
