Andre Russell returned to kind with a bang along with his maiden half-century of the season as Kolkata Knight Riders managed a slim one-run win over Rajasthan Royals in a thrilling last-ball end to stay within the hunt for a play-offs berth within the Indian Premier League on the Eden Gardens in New Delhi on Sunday (May 4, 2025).
Electing to bat, KKR posted a wholesome 206 for 4 earlier than the bowlers’ collective effort fetched the defending champion’s second consecutive victory regardless of RR captain Riyan Parag’s heroic show.
RR tumbled early in its response. Vaibhav Suryavanshi fell cheaply to his namesake as house captain Ajinkya Rahane, with a bandaged proper hand, ran backwards from mid-wicket for about 20 yards to full a sensational catch. Kunal Rathore’s wicket made it eight for 2.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Parag ensured a great PowerPlay earlier than KKR’s dependable spinners exhibited their magic.
Moeen Ali accounted for Jaiswal and Varun Chakaravarthy bamboozled Dhruv Jurel and Wanindu Hasaranga in fast succession to make it 71 for 5.
However, Parag and Shimron Hetmyer cast a defiant 48-ball 92-run partnership.
Parag (95, 45b, 6×4, 8×6) switched gear spectacularly peppering either side and clobbered 5 sixes off Moeen within the thirteenth over. Harshit Rana bowled effectively to take away Hetmyer and Parag however Shubham Dubey and Jofra Archer saved RR’s hopes alive till the top.
Earlier, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (35, 25b, 4×4, 1×6) and Rahane added 56 runs off 33 balls to set the stage for KKR.
Rahane (30, 24b, 1×4, 2×6) made mild of his harm to play crispy pictures earlier than growing cramps in his leg. He and Raghuvanshi (44, 31b, 5×4), who labored the ball round and displayed good-looking hits to the fence, added 42 swiftly.
Russell (57 n.o., 25b, 4×4, 6×6) stole the present along with his brutal assault. The well-built Caribbean, who struggled towards the spinners earlier than flexing his muscle tissues towards the pacers, hammered Akash Madhwal, Jofra Archer and Maheesh Theekshana to deal with the gang seated between square-leg and canopy in 4 consecutive overs.
Russell added 61 runs with Raghuvanshi earlier than making merry with Rinku Singh for a shocking carnage to produce 34 runs in 11 deliveries.
Published – May 04, 2025 03:27 pm IST
