IPL 2025, KKR vs RR, Highlights: Russell’s blazing 57* and Harshit Rana’s 2/41 help KKR seal a nail-biting 1-run win, denying Parag’s heroic 95.
Brief scores: KKR 206/4 (A Russell 57*, A Raghuvanshi 44, R Parag 1/21) beat RR 205/8 (R Parag 95, Y Jaiswal 34, V Chakaravarthy 2/32) by 1 run.
In a nerve-wracking IPL 2025 thriller at Eden Gardens, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) edged past Rajasthan Royals (RR) by a solitary run.
Dominating early on, KKR posted a formidable 206/4, powered by a blistering 57 off 25 balls from Andre Russell. However, RR skipper Riyan Parag almost turned the tide with a breathtaking 95, keeping the chase alive.
The drama peaked in the final over as Shubham Dubey fought valiantly, needing 22. With two required off the last ball, a run-out shattered RR’s hopes. This heart-stopping victory has rejuvenated KKR’s campaign and bolstered their chances for an IPL 2025 playoff berth.
Highlights from KKR vs RR game, IPL 2025
Andre Russell’s promotion a masterstroke from KKR
KKR all-rounder Andre Russell unleashed a ferocious batting display at Eden Gardens as he powered his team to an imposing total of 206/4 against RR.
Promoted up the order, the Caribbean powerhouse initially assessed the conditions before shifting gears. Once set, Russell was unstoppable, hammering an unbeaten 57 off a mere 25 deliveries at a staggering strike rate of 228.00. His explosive innings featured six sixes and four boundaries, leaving the Rajasthan bowlers with no answers.
In the process, Russell etched his name into the annals of IPL history. He became the first and only overseas batter to amass 1000 IPL runs at the iconic Eden Gardens.
Read More: Venkatesh Iyer has underwhelmed in IPL 2025 with ordinary returns; Was KKR right in buying him back?
Riyan Parag’s 95 keep RR in hunt
Chasing a daunting target of 207 at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Rajasthan Royals found themselves in deep trouble at 71 for 5 within the first eight overs. The odds were firmly stacked against them, and the chase seemed very difficult.
However, skipper Riyan Parag led a counterattack that nearly turned the tide in Rajasthan’s favour. Parag blazed his way to a sensational 95 off just 45 balls. His knock featured six fours and eight sixes, as he scored at an strike rate of 211.11.
The highlight of his innings came when he etched his name into IPL folklore by smashing six sixes in succession, five of them off Moeen Ali in a single over, followed by one more off the very next ball he faced from Varun Chakravarthy.
Read More: IPL 2025, RR vs MI, Highlights: Sustained aggressive batting, powerplay bowling fetch 7th win for MI
𝙍𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙍𝙞𝙮𝙖𝙣 🔥
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 4, 2025
The #RR captain is in the mood tonight 😎
He keeps @rajasthanroyals in the game 🩷
Updates ▶ https://t.co/wg00ni9CQE#TATAIPL | #KKRvRR | @rajasthanroyals | @ParagRiyan pic.twitter.com/zwGdrP3yMB
Harshit Rana’s two wickets at death turn tide
After conceding 28 runs in his first two overs, KKR pacer Harshit Rana staged a stunning comeback that proved pivotal in steering KKR to a thrilling victory. With Rajasthan Royals mounting a fierce counterattack, Rana was entrusted with the ball during a crucial phase of the game, and he delivered with composure.
He first broke the solid building partnership between Shimron Hetmyer and Riyan Parag, which had begun to tilt the match in RR’s favour. With a sharp, well-directed short ball outside off, he dismissed Hetmyer for 29, halting the momentum.
But it was in his very next over that Rana delivered the match-turning blow, removing the dangerous Riyan Parag, who was on a rampage. Bowling a cleverly disguised slower back-of-length delivery wide outside off, he induced a mistimed shot from Parag, who fell for a scintillating 95 off 45 balls. His dismissal marked the collapse of RR’s hopes and sealed a dramatic win for KKR.
Way forward
After a thrilling win in Match 53 of IPL 2025, KKR remain in playoff contention with five victories from 11 games, needing to win their remaining three. Rajasthan Royals, reeling from two consecutive defeats, are effectively out of the race. However, Riyan Parag’s explosive knock was a silver lining, and RR may now experiment with their bench in the final fixtures.
Read More: IPL 2025, DC vs KKR, Highlights: Narine’s 3 wickets turn the game in KKR’s favour; Delhi stuck at 4
Top Twitter/X Reactions from KKR vs RR, Kolkata, 53rd Game, IPL 2025
First batter to hit 6 consecutive 6s. Riyan Parag 👏 (in IPL)
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 4, 2025
What a Game RR vs KKR … Congratulations to @KKRiders but must say Dil jeeta Riyan parag ne @rajasthanroyals 🏏 @IPL
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) May 4, 2025
𝙍𝙪𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙖 𝙖𝙩 𝙀𝙙𝙚𝙣 𝙂𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙨 💪
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 4, 2025
Display of brute force from #KKR's very own Andre Russell 💥
Updates ▶ https://t.co/wg00ni9CQE#TATAIPL | #KKRvRR | @Russell12A pic.twitter.com/YfXiU3dF6h
