IPL 2025: KKR humble RR to claim season's first win
What's the story
Kolkata Knight Riders beat Rajasthan Royals in Match 6 of IPL 2025 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati.
The Knight Riders successfully chased down 152 to win their first match of the season. Quinton de Kock led the charge with a whirlwind knock.
A concerted bowling effort, especially from Varun Chakravarthy and Moeen Ali, restricted the Royals.
RR have lost their second successive game.
RR innings
RR lose successive wickets in middle overs
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson made a positive start after RR were invited to bat.
Although Samson was the only batter to depart in the Powerplay, RR lost successive wickets thereafter.
With Nitish Rana's dismissal, KKR were down to 82/5 in the 11th over. Chakravarthy and Moeen dented their plight.
Dhruv Jurel's 33 and a late flourish from Jofra Archer took RR to 151/9.
KKR innings
How KKR's chase panned out
De Kock single-handedly anchored KKR's chase in the Powerplay. He came out with Moeen, who was run-out for a 12-ball 5.
KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane joined de Kock thereafter. The duo ticked the scoreboard, but Wanindu Hasaranga outfoxed Rahane.
De Kock, who struggled in KKR's opener, powered the run-chase with an attacking half-century.
Angkrish Raghuvanshi joined him as KKR were home by 17.3 overs.
De Kock
Star of KKR's run-chase
De Kock was the star of KKR's run-chase. He slammed an unbeaten 97 off 61 balls (8 fours and 6 sixes).
De Kock made his presence felt in only his second outing for KKR. They bought him for ₹3.6 crore last year.
A seasoned campaigner, de Kock recorded his 26th fifty-plus IPL score (two tons). He raced past 3,250 runs in the tournament.
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Highest individual score for KKR in run-chases
According to Cricbuzz, de Kock now has the highest individual score for KKR in run-chases in the IPL. He went past Manish Pandey, who scored a match-winning 94 against Punjab Kings in the 2014 IPL final in Bengaluru.
Battle
De Kock takes on Jofra Archer
De Kock ran through Jofra Archer, one of the world's fastest bowlers. The former Proteas batter hammered Archer for 28 runs off eight balls (2 fours and 3 sixes).
As per Cricbuzz, de Kock now has 128 runs off just 60 balls against Archer in T20 cricket. Despite being dismissed thrice, the former has a strike-rate of 213.33 in this battle.
Jaiswal
Jaiswal races to 3,000 T20 runs
In the first innings, Jaiswal fell to Moeen for a 24-ball 29. His knock included 2 fours and as many sixes.
With his 21st, Jaiswal completed 3,000 runs in T20 cricket. He unlocked the achievement in his 106th encounter.
Over 1,600 of his runs have come in the IPL. Meanwhile, he has scored 723 runs from 23 T20Is at 36.15 for Team India.
Moeen
Moeen shines on KKR debut
Moeen replaced Sunil Narine, who missed the match with illness. This marked the former's IPL debut for KKR.
The former England spinner first dismissed Jaiswal, RR's third batter to depart. Nitish Rana was Moeen's second and final victim.
Moeen conceded just 23 runs in four overs. He has now raced to 37 wickets from 68 IPL matches at an average of 24.75.
Chakravarthy
Chakravarthy races past 85 IPL wickets
Chakravarthy's smart use of the pitch was instrumental in choking their runs.
As RR aimed to post a big target with their explosive top order, Chakravarthy stepped in to dismiss Riyan Parag and then send Hasaranga packing in his second over.
Chakravarthy, who returned figures worth 2/17, has now raced to 86 wickets from 73 IPL matches at an average of 23.97.
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First sub-50 Powerplay score of IPL 2025
Despite controling the game, KKR started their chase cautiously. They were 40/0 after six overs, the first sub-50 Powerplay score in IPL 2025, as per Cricbuzz. Notably, Moeen scored only four runs in this phase.
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KKR open their account
KKR opened their account after losing the IPL 2025 opener to RCB. On the other hand, RR have lost both their matches so far. Their first defeat came to Sunrisers Hyderabad. Notably, Parag has been leading RR in place of the injured Samson.