IPL 2025: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) made a stunning comeback in their second match of the season, defeating Rajasthan Royals by eight wickets in a commanding display at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday. Following a disappointing start against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on March 22, KKR, the defending champions, secured their first points of the campaign under the leadership of new captain Ajinkya Rahane.
Quinton de Kock was the star of the match, delivering a breathtaking performance that underlined his reputation as one of the IPL’s most formidable openers. His innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression, starting cautiously before shifting gears to demolish the Royals’ bowling attack with precision and power. De Kock scored an unbeaten 89 off just 44 balls, laced with eight fours and six sixes, steering KKR to victory with ease.
Earlier in the game, KKR opted to field after winning the toss. Their bowlers made immediate inroads into the Royals’ batting lineup, restricting them to a modest 151/9. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel were the only batsmen to offer resistance, scoring 29 and 33 respectively. Varun Chakaravarthy and Moeen Ali were the pick of the bowlers for KKR, each claiming two wickets while Harshit Rana and Vaibhav Arora also contributed with crucial breakthroughs.
Chasing a target of 152, KKR lost Moeen Ali early, but de Kock’s aggressive batting ensured the chase remained on course despite the early hiccup. Even after losing Rahane for a quick 18, de Kock’s onslaught continued relentlessly, showcasing a range of shots that left the Rajasthan bowlers scrambling for answers.
This victory not only marks the first win under Rahane’s captaincy but also boosts KKR’s morale ahead of their next challenge against the five-time champions Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium. With de Kock in such scintillating form, KKR will look to carry forward this momentum and solidify their position in the IPL 2025 standings.