Reigning champions Kolkata Knight Riders soared to an emphatic eight-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals, driven by Quinton de Kock’s unbeaten 97 in a masterful display of batting.
Quinton de Kock’s unbeaten 97
Quinton de Kock’s masterful 97 powered Kolkata Knight Riders to a commanding win against Rajasthan Royals in their IPL 2025 clash. His stellar knock anchored KKR’s chase, ensuring a dominant performance and securing crucial points in the tournament.
Quinton de Kock delivered a brilliant unbeaten 97 on a tricky Barsapara surface, guiding Kolkata Knight Riders to a commanding eight-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals in their IPL showdown on Wednesday. After electing to bowl, KKR’s disciplined attack, spearheaded by spinners Varun Chakravarthy (2/17) and Moeen Ali (2/23), restricted Rajasthan to a modest 151/9. De Kock then showcased his class, smashing eight fours and six sixes in his 61-ball innings, steering KKR to the target with ease in just 17.3 overs.
Despite the tricky nature of the pitch, Quinton de Kock showcased controlled aggression, timing his shots to perfection while keeping Kolkata Knight Riders’ chase steady.
With the required run rate staying close to a run-a-ball, KKR never looked in trouble. Although they lost Moeen Ali (5) and captain Ajinkya Rahane (18) early, De Kock anchored the innings, finding solid support in young Angkrish Raghuvanshi (22 off 17).
The duo stitched together an unbeaten 83-run stand off just 44 deliveries, sealing the defending champions’ first victory of the season. The South African wicketkeeper-batter was at his fluent best, relying on precise groundstrokes over risky aerial shots while effortlessly finding the boundaries.
Quinton de Kock played a calculated innings, carefully weighing his risks while keeping the modest target in mind.
He took the attack to Jofra Archer, dispatching him for a boundary and a six in the same over. His half-century came in just 35 balls, reaching the milestone with a towering six over wide long-on off Wanindu Hasaranga—his third maximum of the innings.
Rajasthan Royals may have over-relied on their spinners, allowing KKR’s batters to settle into a comfortable rhythm. Hasaranga, who had previously dismissed De Kock twice, found himself on the receiving end this time as the Proteas star dictated terms.
A more aggressive strategy—deploying Archer earlier in the middle overs—could have created pressure. However, the English pacer was introduced as late as the 18th over, by which point KKR needed just 17 runs from 18 balls.
De Kock made quick work of it, smashing Archer for a four before launching two sixes to seal the chase with ease.
Earlier, Varun Chakravarthy and Moeen Ali turned the game in KKR’s favor, dismantling the Royals’ middle order with two wickets each in back-to-back overs right after the powerplay.
Seamer Vaibhav Arora (2/33) proved expensive but delivered two vital breakthroughs—dismissing Royals captain Sanju Samson (13 off 11) with a well-executed yorker in the powerplay before removing impact substitute Shubham Dubey (9) for a low score.
Harshit Rana (2/36) played a crucial role at the death, breaking Dhruv Jurel’s promising knock of 33 (28) and sending the dangerous Shimron Hetmyer back for just 7—both scalps coming in the high-pressure penultimate over.
Jofra Archer provided a late flourish with a quickfire 16 off 7 balls, helping Rajasthan Royals cross the 150-run mark, but his resistance ended when Spencer Johnson (1/42) dismissed him on the second-last ball of the innings.
Rajasthan Royals seemed poised for a big total at 54/1, with a settled Yashasvi Jaiswal (29 off 24) and hometown favorite Riyan Parag (25 off 15) building momentum at the crease.
Leading RR for the first time on his home turf, Parag showed intent early, launching Harshit Rana for a six over square leg off just his third delivery. His confidence was on full display in the following over, producing the shot of the innings—a flawlessly timed lofted drive off Vaibhav Arora that sailed straight down the ground.
Jaiswal, who got a lifeline when he was dropped on 19, capped off the powerplay in style with a maximum, helping RR finish the first six overs in a strong position at 54/1.
However, KKR hit back immediately. Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy sparked a collapse in the seventh over, deceiving the in-form Parag with a cleverly disguised 113kph delivery to shift the momentum.
