Sanjeev Kumar 
Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Result: KKR won by 80 runs
In one of the most commanding performances of the 2025 IPL season so far, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) bounced back in style to trounce Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by a massive 80-run margin at the iconic Eden Gardens. The clash featured explosive batting, fiery pace bowling, and clinical spin—making it a one-sided affair that thrilled the home crowd.
First Innings: KKR’s Rollercoaster Batting Display
After SRH skipper Pat Cummins won the toss and opted to bowl first, the KKR innings got off to a rocky start. Quinton de Kock and Sunil Narine, known for their aggressive starts, fell cheaply within the first three overs. SRH pacers exploited early movement, reducing KKR to a precarious position and putting pressure on the middle order.
However, KKR’s recovery was led by the calm and composed Ajinkya Rahane, who anchored the innings with a steady 38 off 27 balls. He was ably supported by the young left-hander Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who brought his A-game to the fore. The duo stitched a vital 81-run partnership, steadying the ship and shifting momentum back in KKR’s favor. Raghuvanshi impressed with his strokeplay, notching up his maiden IPL half-century (50 off 32 balls), showcasing his potential on the big stage.
But the real acceleration came courtesy of Venkatesh Iyer, who walked in at No. 5. He changed the tempo of the game with a blistering 60 off just 29 deliveries, smashing seven fours and three sixes all around the ground. His powerful hitting in the death overs pushed KKR to a commanding 200/6 in 20 overs. Rinku Singh added a handy 32 off 17 balls, ensuring the innings ended on a high.
Second Innings: KKR Bowlers Crush SRH’s Hopes
Chasing a daunting target of 201, SRH’s innings never got going. The KKR pace duo of Vaibhav Arora and Harshit Rana was simply unplayable under lights. Arora struck in the very first over, sending back the dangerous Travis Head, while Harshit dismissed Abhishek Sharma soon after. Arora then struck again, getting rid of Ishan Kishan, reducing SRH to a dismal 9/3 inside three overs.
The early collapse left SRH’s middle order under intense pressure. Heinrich Klaasen, SRH’s most consistent performer so far, tried to fight back with a gritty 33 off 21 balls, and Kamindu Mendis added a quick 27 off 20. However, their partnership was too short-lived to cause any real dent in KKR’s armor.
KKR skipper Rahane rotated his bowlers smartly, bringing in spin to tighten the noose. Varun Chakaravarthy spun a web around SRH’s lower order, picking up 3 wickets for just 22 runs. Andre Russell chipped in with crucial wickets and kept the scoring rate in check.
With wickets falling at regular intervals, SRH was bundled out for 120 in just 16.4 overs, falling well short of the target and giving KKR a much-needed boost in net run rate.
Top Performers:
- Vaibhav Arora (KKR):( Man of the Match ) 3/29 – Early breakthroughs set the tone.
- Venkatesh Iyer (KKR): 60 (29) – Power-packed innings changed the game.
- Varun Chakaravarthy (KKR): 3/22 – Clinical spell of spin bowling.
Post-Match Scenario:
This thumping win propelled KKR to 5th place on the points table, while SRH slipped to the bottom, with their net run rate taking a big hit. The performance not only marked KKR’s dominance at home but also underlined the importance of balance in both departments—batting depth and bowling variety.
As the league progresses, KKR will take plenty of positives from this game, especially the form of Venkatesh Iyer and the effectiveness of their young pace attack.
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Harshini 
BiGG Author