After a horrible start to their IPL 2025 campaign, defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have fought back superbly to get their first two points on the IPL 2025 points table. They have beaten the Rajasthan Royals (RR) by eight wickets in what proved to be a near-perfect game.
The bowlers set it up with their spin web before Quinton de Kock played one of his best IPL innings. It was a bit sad to see him stay unbeaten at 97 and not get his hundred, the southpaw batted superbly. He took KKR over the line with a six down the ground off Jofra Archer.
IPL 2025: How did KKR players fare vs RR?
Moeen Ali: 8/10: Came in as a late replacement for “ill” Sunil Narine, Moeen Ali turned out to be a perfect fit. While he struggled against some high-quality pace bowling by Jofra Archer, Moeen showed his class on a placid Guwahati track. His trajectory was on point with the ball, forcing RR batters to make mistakes. He found turn off the deck that helped him take 2/23.
Quinton de Kock 10/10: In a 150+ run-chase, you need one of your openers to hit a half-century. And that is what Quinton de Kock did, burying his poor KKR debut against RCB. While Moeen struggled at one end, the other southpaw did what he is known for, hammering boundaries at will. In the second half of his innings, de Kock changed his gears further as he hit his last 45 runs in just 25 balls.
Ajinkya Rahane 5/10: The KKR captain faced all 15 of his deliveries against spin, and he didn’t look comfortable. Since IPL 2023, he just averages 20 and has a SR of 124.40 against spin. This is what troubled Rahane tonight as well.
Angkrish Raghuvanshi 8.5/10: While the credit for the win would go to Quinton de Kock and the bowlers, Raghuvanshi’s unbeaten 22 off 17 was special as well. He calmed the boat after Rahane’s dismissal and looked more comfortable facing spin.
KKR Bowlers:
Spencer Johnson 6.5/10: Spencer Johnson hasn’t found success with the new ball in either of the two KKR matches. His skill is to hit the deck hard and dash in those high-altitude deliveries that hurry the batters. Unfortunately, Johnson failed to take a wicket to his name early on but bowled decently. His only wicket came when Archer tried to hoick him in the ultimate over of the innings. His economy of 10.50 was on the high side.
Vaibhav Arora 9/10: In his spell of four overs, Vaibhav Arora gave away just as many boundaries. Despite the pitch being a great one for batting in the powerplay, Arora was hard to put away as he found some movement in the air. He first knocked off Sanju Samson with a great incoming delivery before getting Shubham Dubey in the death. Arora is certainly a plus for KKR!
Harshit Rana 9/10: Harshit Rana was used as a middle over enforcer by Rahane as he should be. But what was heartening to see for Rana is that he used the change of pace quite often. Three of his four overs were bowled matter the 13-over mark. He was hit by Dhurv Jurel on multiple occasions, but Rana came back and got the better of the Indian keeper with a quicker one. In his last ball of the innings, Rana also got Hetmyer with an off-cutter.
Varun Chakaravarthy 9.5/10: Guess how many boundaries did Chakaravarthy leak in his 4-over spell? Just one. Yeah, after a poor show against RCB, the mystery spinner is well and truly back. The Guwahati pitch surely helped him as the KKR tweaker used the conditions to best of his advantage. He picked up the wickets of Riyan Parag and Wanindu Hasaranga. Chakaravarthy looked at his best as he spun a web around the RR batters.
