Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured their first win of IPL 2025 with a dominant eight-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the sixth match of the tournament. The match, held in Guwahati on March 26, saw KKR comfortably chase down a target of 152, reaching 153/2 in just 17.3 overs.
RR struggle to post a competitive total
Rajasthan Royals, after being put to bat first, struggled against KKR’s disciplined bowling attack. They managed to post 151/9 in their 20 overs. Dhruv Jurel was the top scorer for RR with 33 runs, while opener Yashasvi Jaiswal added 29. However, their middle order failed to capitalise, leading to a below-par total.
KKR’s spinners played a crucial role in restricting RR. Moeen Ali, who replaced Sunil Narine in the playing XI, made an impact with the ball, picking up 2/23 in his four overs. His strategic approach to bowling, thinking like a batsman, helped him dismiss key RR players like Jaiswal and Nitish Rana. Varun Chakravarthy also contributed with figures of 2/17, ensuring RR never gained momentum.
De Kock’s masterclass in the chase
Chasing 152, KKR got off to a strong start, with Quinton de Kock leading the charge. The South African wicketkeeper-batsman played a magnificent knock, remaining unbeaten on 97 off 61 balls. His innings was laced with 12 fours and 3 sixes, ensuring KKR faced no real trouble in the chase.
Youngster Angkrish Raghuvanshi provided solid support with an unbeaten 22 off 17 balls, helping KKR reach the target comfortably. Rajasthan’s bowlers failed to create any pressure, and the match slipped out of their hands quickly.
KKR gains momentum, RR needs a reset
With this victory, KKR has gained much-needed momentum in IPL 2025. Their bowling unit looked in great rhythm, and de Kock’s form is a positive sign for the team. Rajasthan Royals, on the other hand, will need to rethink their strategies and find ways to strengthen their batting lineup in upcoming matches.
