Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) got a narrow 1-run victory over the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the 53rd match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Sunday, May 4. A late surge from Andre Rusell ensured that the team crossed the 200-mark and put up a good total on the scoreboard. Russell smashed and unbeaten 57 off 25 deliveries after coming out to bat in the 13th over, putting behind a string of poor performances.
After winning the toss and opting to bat, KKR posted a formidable total of 206/4 in their 20 overs. It was a combined effort from the KKR top-order who chipped in about 40 runs before the middle-order batters did their job. The innings was bolstered by a blistering 57* off 25 balls from Andre Russell and a quickfire 19 off 6 balls by Rinku Singh in the death overs, taking KKR to a decently big score.
Chasing 207, RR came agonizingly close, finishing at 205/8. After losing two early wickets, including wonder-kid Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal provided some momentum with 34 off 21 balls. Skipper Riyan Parag played a sensational knock, scoring 95 runs, but his efforts fell just short as RR lost by one run.
Russell smashes three consecutive sixes to Mahesh Theekshana in 18th over
Talking about Andre Russell’s innings, the towering all-rounder got a 22-ball fifty, scoring a total of 57* off 25 balls. Interestingly, he had an extremely slow start, scoring just 2 runs off his first 9 deliveries. Hitting 6 sixes and 4 fours, Rusell finished his innings with a staggering strike rate of 228. During the 18th over, he smashed RR bowler Mahesh Theekshana for three consecutive sixes on the last three balls. In fact, he was also dropped by skipper Riyan Parag in the very next over when he was already at a score of an unbeaten 56.
Russell’s return to form has been of perfect timing for KKR as they have managed to keep their playoff hopes alive with this victory. Riding on the high of this result, they will hope to continue fighting and possibly reach the top 4 soon. As for RR, they are already eliminated from the playoffs race but showed massive character and fighting spirit in tonight’s match.
