Players exchange handshake after Kolkata Knight Riders win the Indian Premier League 2025 match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Thursday.
| Photo Credit: ANI
Following an ignominious defeat to Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders bounced back emphatically to outplay Sunrisers Hyderabad by 80 runs and record its second win in IPL 2025 at the Eden Gardens here on Thursday.
KKR rode on Venkatesh Iyer and Angkrish Raghuvanshi’s brilliant half-centuries to score 200 for six after being put in. The defending champion then relied on Vaibhav Arora and Varun Chakaravarthy’s three-wicket hauls to bundle out a strong SRH for 120 for a morale-boosting victory.
SRH sent back the KKR openers early with skipper Pat Cummins and Mohammed Shami accounting for Quinton de Kock and Sunil Narine respectively. Nevertheless, home captain Ajinkya Rahane (38, 27b, 1×4, 4×6) maintained his composure. He smashed three sixes on the on-side while helping KKR gather 53 in the PowerPlay.
Raghuvanshi (50, 32b, 5×4, 2×6) applied himself in a much-needed 51-ball 81-run partnership with Rahane. The younger Mumbaikar not only worked the ball around but also showcased some impressive shots, predominantly on the off-side.
KKR suffered a double blow as Rahane was caught behind while attempting a reverse sweep off leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari and Raghuvanshi was spectacularly caught by Harshal Patel at deep backward point off Kamindu Mendis.
SRH gained control briefly before the two left-handers Venkatesh and Rinku Singh’s late charge powered KKR to touch 200 for the first time in the season.
Venkatesh (60, 29b, 7×4, 3×6) stuck to his strength while scoring his first fifty of the season while Rinku (32 n.o., 17b, 4×4, 1×6) played some entertaining shots to form a 41-ball 91-run stand. On a tricky track, Venkatesh’s combination of innovation and conventional stroke-play delighted the partially-filled Eden. Venkatesh plundered 21 runs, including three fours and a six, off the penultimate over bowled by Cummins.
The KKR pacers reduced the visitor to nine for three in reply. Vaibhav struck in consecutive overs to remove danger-man Travis Head , who skied one to mid-off, and Ishan Kishan, superbly caught by Rahane at cover, while Harshit Rana claimed Abhishek Sharma.
SRH lost wickets regularly to suffer its third straight loss.
Published – April 03, 2025 07:49 pm IST