New Delhi: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured their first win of the IPL 2025 season with a commanding 8-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Rajasthan suffered their second consecutive defeat. KKR’s bowlers delivered a stellar performance, restricting RR to just 151 runs. Chasing the target, Quinton de Kock played a breathtaking knock of 97* runs to guide his team to victory with 15 balls to spare.
KKR’s Clinical Chase Led by De Kock
Chasing 152, Quinton de Kock opened the innings alongside Moeen Ali. Ali, playing his first match for KKR this season, was run out for just 5 runs. Skipper Ajinkya Rahane also failed to make a big impact, scoring 18 runs off 15 balls before falling to Wanindu Hasaranga. However, de Kock remained composed at the other end, playing some exquisite shots and ensuring the scoreboard kept ticking. When Rahane was dismissed, KKR had reached 70 runs in 10.1 overs.
De Kock took charge of the chase, accelerating in the latter half of the innings. He brought up the victory in style, smashing a six on the third ball of the 18th over. Unfortunately, he fell just three runs short of a well-deserved century, remaining unbeaten on 97 off 61 balls. His incredible knock included 8 boundaries and 6 towering sixes, showcasing his dominance over the Rajasthan bowlers.
KKR’s Bowlers Set Up the Win
Earlier in the match, KKR’s bowlers put Rajasthan on the back foot, not allowing them to build a substantial total. Rajasthan’s batting lineup struggled, managing only 151/9 in their 20 overs.
With this emphatic win, KKR has gained momentum in the tournament, while Rajasthan will need to regroup after back-to-back losses. De Kock’s match-winning performance has sent a strong message to the other teams, making KKR a formidable contender in IPL 2025.