NEW DELHI: It was far too close for comfort at Eden Gardens on Sunday as Kolkata Knight Riders survived a last-ball scare to edge out Rajasthan Royals by just one run in a high-octane IPL 2025 thriller, keeping their playoff hopes alive.
Defending 206, KKR held their nerve in the final over, where Royals needed 22 runs to win. Impact substitute Shubham Dubey (25 not out off 14 balls) almost pulled off the impossible, smashing two sixes and a four to bring the equation down to three runs off the final ball.
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But Rinku Singh, continuing a stellar night in the field, executed a good throw from long-off after quick pick-up to run out Jofra Archer (12) and deny RR a Super Over.
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The result lifted KKR to fifth on the points table with 11 points. They still need to win all three remaining matches to stay in the playoff hunt, but this win, carved out through nerves of steel and sheer fielding excellence, was a big step forward.
As it happened: KKR vs RR
The victory was shaped by two game-changing contributions — Andre Russell’s ferocious 25-ball 57* and Rinku Singh’s electric fielding.
KKR were at 149/3 after 17 overs, before Russell tore into Maheesh Theekshana with three consecutive sixes and followed it up with 12 more runs off Archer. Rinku then hammered 22 off the final over bowled by Akash Madhwal, including two sixes and a four, helping KKR post a daunting 206/4.
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But it wasn’t just about the runs. Rinku turned the tide in the field, saving crucial boundaries and effecting the game-turning run-out. “I enjoy my fielding, probably more than my batting,” said Rinku after the match. “It was important to save that boundary [18.2 overs]. This is one of the quickest outfields in India. I like to take responsibility [in the field].”
Riyan Parag played a captain’s knock for Rajasthan Royals, smashing 95 off 45 balls to lead the chase, while Yashasvi Jaiswal (34) and Shimron Hetmyer (29) added momentum. But KKR’s bowlers — Varun Chakravarthy (2/32), Moeen Ali (2/43), Harshit Rana (2/41), and Vaibhav Arora (1/50) — chipped in at key moments.
For KKR, Angkrish Raghuvanshi (44), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (35), and Ajinkya Rahane (30) also made solid contributions. For RR, Parag’s all-round effort included 1/21, while Archer, Yudhvir, and Theekshana took a wicket apiece.
