On March 26, 2025, the 6th match of IPL 2025 at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, turned into a one-sided thrashing as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) crushed Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 8 wickets. RR managed 151/9 batting first, and KKR chased it down with 153/2 in just 17.3 overs, thanks to Quinton de Kock’s unbeaten 97. After a shaky start to their title defense, KKR found their groove—let’s dive into how it all went down!
Toss and Early Strike: KKR’s Perfect Start
KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and opted to bowl, likely eyeing the dew factor and Guwahati’s batsman-friendly pitch. RR, led by stand-in skipper Riyan Parag due to Sanju Samson’s injury, stumbled early. Vaibhav Arora struck in the 4th over, dismissing Sanju Samson for just 13, putting RR on the back foot at 33/1. Yashasvi Jaiswal (29 off 24) and Parag (25 off 15) tried to rebuild, but the pressure was already mounting.
RR’s Batting: Middle Order Crumbles
Jaiswal and Parag added some stability, but Varun Chakaravarthy (2/17) broke through in the 8th over, getting Parag caught at long-off for 25, leaving RR at 67/2. Moeen Ali followed in the 9th, dismissing Jaiswal for 29, and RR slipped to 69/3. Dhruv Jurel (33 off 28) fought hard, but the middle order faltered. Harshit Rana (2/31) cleaned up late, taking out Jurel and Shimron Hetmyer (11) in the 19th over. Despite a late 16 off 7 from Jofra Archer, RR limped to 151/9—way below par on this pitch.
KKR’s Chase: Quinton’s One-Man Show
KKR’s chase was all about Quinton de Kock. His unbeaten 97 (61 balls, 8 fours, 6 sixes) turned the game into a cakewalk. Moeen Ali (5) and Ajinkya Rahane (18) offered early support, falling to quick runout by M Theekshana and Hasaranga respectively, but Quinton kept the scoreboard ticking. With Angkrish Raghuvanshi (22*) by his side, he wrapped up 153/2 in 17.3 overs. RR’s bowlers—Jofra Archer included—had no answers as Quinton dominated from start to finish.
Key Moments
- Quinton’s Brilliance: His 97* was the game-changer, lifting KKR after their opening loss to RCB and boosting their net run rate.
- Spin Magic: Varun Chakaravarthy (2/17) and Moeen Ali (2 wickets) ripped through RR’s batting on a pitch favoring big scores.
- RR’s Collapse: Losing Parag and Jaiswal in quick succession triggered a slide that exposed their middle-order fragility.
Man of the Match
Quinton de Kock, hands down. His near-century made the chase look effortless and set the tone for KKR’s campaign.
What’s Next?
This win puts KKR’s title defense back on track—next stop, Mumbai Indians at Wankhede. RR, now 0-2 after losses to SRH and KKR, faces a tough road ahead. Without Samson’s Captaincy, their batting and bowling need urgent fixes.
Match Stats
|
Player/Team
|
Runs/Wickets
|
Balls/Overs
|
Notable Performance
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Quinton de Kock
|
97*
|
61
|
8 fours, 6 sixes, unbeaten
|
|
Dhruv Jurel
|
33
|
28
|
RR’s top scorer
|
|
Varun Chakaravarthy
|
2/17
|
4
|
Broke RR’s batting
|
|
Harshit Rana
|
2/36
|
4
|
Key late wickets
|
|
RR
|
151/9
|
20
|
Modest total, weak effort
|
|
KKR
|
153/2
|
17.3
|
Easy win, 8 wickets left
|
Surprise Factor
Despite Guwahati’s reputation as a batsman’s paradise, RR’s 151/9 was a shocker—especially with strong batting lineup. Their lack of coordination under Parag’s leadership stood out more than expected.
Wrap-Up
This was a statement win for KKR, with Quinton de Kock showcasing their firepower. RR needs to regroup fast or risk falling behind early in IPL 2025. What did you think—Quinton’s knock, the spinners, or RR’s struggles? Let me know below!
