Cricket Highlights, March 26: IPL 2025 (6th Match) – RR vs KKR

RR vs KKR (6th Match) – Highlights

Kolkata Knight Riders registered a commanding eight-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals in the sixth match of IPL 2025 at Guwahati. Chasing a modest target of 152, KKR made light work of the run chase, thanks to a breathtaking unbeaten knock of 97 from Quinton de Kock. The South African wicketkeeper-batsman orchestrated a clinical run chase, ensuring KKR crossed the finish line with 15 balls to spare.

Batting first, RR never truly found their rhythm, struggling against Kolkata’s disciplined bowling attack. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson started with intent, but their partnership was cut short when Vaibhav Arora dismissed the Royals’ skipper in the fourth over. Riyan Parag, leading the side in this fixture, showed flashes of aggression, striking three sixes in a quickfire 25 off 15 balls, but he too fell to Varun Chakravarthy, leaving RR in a precarious position at 67 for two.

Nitish Rana and Wanindu Hasaranga failed to contribute significantly, as Moeen Ali and Varun Chakravarthy continued to apply pressure in the middle overs. The responsibility fell on Dhruv Jurel, who held one end with a patient 33 off 28 balls. However, wickets kept tumbling at the other end, with Shimron Hetmyer and Shubham Dubey failing to accelerate. A late cameo from Jofra Archer, who smashed two sixes in his seven-ball 16, helped RR reach a respectable 151 for nine in their 20 overs.

Spencer Johnson, despite being slightly expensive, picked up the crucial wicket of Archer in the final over. Varun Chakravarthy (2 for 17) and Moeen Ali (2 for 23) were the standout performers with the ball, choking the Royals’ batters in the middle overs. Harshit Rana and Vaibhav Arora chipped in with two wickets each, while Johnson rounded off the bowling effort with one scalp.

In response, KKR started cautiously. Moeen Ali struggled to get going and was eventually run out for a sluggish five off 12 balls. At the other end, Quinton de Kock took his time to settle before unleashing a barrage of exquisite shots. He found an able ally in Ajinkya Rahane, who contributed a steady 18 off 15 balls before being dismissed by Hasaranga.

With KKR at 70 for two in 10.1 overs, the match was evenly poised. However, de Kock took complete control, playing some trademark aggressive strokes to dismantle the Rajasthan bowling attack. His innings of 97* off 61 balls was laced with eight fours and six towering sixes, displaying a perfect blend of precision and power. Young Angkrish Raghuvanshi played the supporting role, finishing with an unbeaten 22 off 17 balls as KKR comfortably sealed the chase in the 18th over.

For RR, the bowling unit failed to contain KKR’s charge. Jofra Archer proved expensive, conceding 33 runs in just 2.3 overs, while Wanindu Hasaranga was RR’s lone wicket-taker. Theekshana, Parag, and Sandeep Sharma bowled economically but couldn’t break the momentum created by de Kock.

Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders Scoreboard

Rajasthan Royals – 151/9 (20)

Kolkata Knight Riders – 153/2 (17.3/20)

Result – KKR won by 8 wickets (with 15 balls remaining)

Player of the Match – Quinton de Kock

RR vs KKR Playing Eleven

Rajasthan Royals

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (c), Riyan Parag, Nitish Rana, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Shubham Dubey, Shimron Hetmyer, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Tushar Deshpande, Sandeep Sharma.

Kolkata Knight Riders

Quinton de Kock (wk), Moeen Ali, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Spencer Johnson, Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy.

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