KKR registered their second win of the season.
Overview
Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) had a mediocre start to the tournament, but the night on Thursday, April 03 was completely different. In the Match No. 15 of IPL 2025 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), the hosts were emphatic in all departments of the game, despite the toss going against their favour. The Knight Riders had to bat first, on a barely-crowded Eden Gardens, and the start wasn’t the most delightful one.
Both the openers Quinton de Kock and Sunil Narine departed by the third over, but this is where the middle-order rose the occasion, helping KKR post 200 for 6 at the end of 20 overs. Kamindu Mendis had the best figures for the Sunrisers in the first innings. Sunrisers’ reply to the total was a horrendous one, as they never looked comfortable during the chase. Getting bundled out for 120, the visitors handed an 80-run victory to the Ajinkya Rahane-led side.
Talking Points
1. Raghuvanshi-Venkatesh provide the much-needed mesh
After losing the openers early, skipper Ajinkya Rahane hit a few meaty blows to up the ante. Before making his way back to the dressing room, the KKR captain made 38 off 27, which includes four mighty hits into the stands. Post then, it was all about his deputy Venkatesh Iyer and Angkrish Raghuvanshi sailed the three-time champions to the comfortable shores. A Rinku Singh cameo added the finishing touch, as SRH failed to keep up with the powerplay momentum.
2. Abhishek-Travis removed with ease
The dangerous opening duo of Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head looked can threaten any opposition, but Vaibhav Arora struck instantly, scalping the latter’s wicket with ease. Abhishek departed the very next over, courtesy of a peach by Harshit Rana. Ishan Kishan, too, couldn’t contribute. Heinrich Klaasen played an entertaining knock, but it did good only to the crowd, as wickets kept tumbling at the other end. He too was dismissed in the 15th over, which made win only a formality.
3. The Knights aggregate four points
Having played four games so far, Rahane & Co. faced criticism amidst all the talks surrounding the home advantage. However, a clinical display with both the bat and the ball meant that the SRH tie became their second win of the season. This win was necessary for them, since they looked nowhere closer in the competition during the previous fixture against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede.
Also Read: IPL 2025: Match 16, LSG vs MI Match Prediction
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