After 350 days, Kolkata Knight Riders finally returned to winning ways in the IPL. Playing at Eden Gardens, KKR defeated Rajasthan Royals by four wickets on Sunday to register their first win of the season and keep their playoff hopes alive.
Batting first, Rajasthan Royals posted 155/9 after a strong start. The opening pair added 81 runs, setting a solid platform. Vaibhav Suryavanshi led the charge with a brisk 46 off 28 balls before being dismissed by Varun Chakravarthy. Yashasvi Jaiswal contributed 39 off 29 deliveries but could not convert his start into a bigger score.
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The middle order, however, failed to capitalise. Dhruv Jurel fell cheaply, while Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, and Ravindra Jadeja could not make meaningful contributions. KKR’s bowlers tightened the grip in the latter half, preventing Rajasthan from accelerating in the death overs and keeping the total within reach.
Chakravarthy leads as Rinku, Anukul seal composed chase
KKR’s bowling unit delivered a disciplined performance to set up the win. Varun Chakravarthy was the standout, finishing with figures of 3/14 in four overs. He was well supported by Sunil Narine, who picked up 2/26, while Kartik Tyagi maintained excellent control, conceding just 22 runs in his spell.
In response, KKR chased down the target with composure after a brief wobble. The turning point came through a crucial 76-run partnership between Rinku Singh and Anukul Roy. Rinku anchored the innings with an unbeaten 53 off 34 balls, showing maturity under pressure, while Anukul provided the perfect support with a quick 29 off 16 deliveries.
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For Rajasthan, Ravindra Jadeja impressed with two wickets in an economical spell. Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Ravi Bishnoi, and Yash Raj Punja picked up a wicket each, but KKR held their nerve to secure a much-needed victory.
