05 May, 2025 | 12:42 AM
In one of the most thrilling contests of IPL 2025, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) pulled off a heart-stopping one-run win against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in a final-ball showdown in Kolkata. With three needed off the last delivery, Vaibhav Arora’s pinpoint yorker and a direct throw from Rinku Singh caught Jofra Archer short of his ground, sealing an unforgettable victory for KKR and keeping their playoff hopes alive.
Put in to bat, KKR posted a formidable 206 for 4, thanks to a blistering 25-ball 57* from Andre Russell. Coming in at 111 for 3 in the 13th over, Russell initially struggled with just 2 off 9 balls, but launched into full gear once spin was replaced by pace. He smashed four sixes and six fours in the death overs, with 70 runs coming in the final five.
Young Angkrish Raghuvanshi anchored the innings earlier with a composed 44 off 31, supported by Rahmanullah Gurbaz (31 off 19) and Ajinkya Rahane (30 off 24), although Rahane’s innings slowed considerably after a quick start. RR’s spinners briefly choked the middle overs, but Russell's power hitting dismantled the plans. RR’s Yudhvir Singh was the costliest bowler, while Parag (1-21) impressed with his part-time spin.
Rajasthan Royals’ chase was steered by an extraordinary knock from Riyan Parag, who hammered 95 off just 39 balls, including six sixes off six consecutive deliveries—five in one over against Moeen Ali. At one point, RR needed 136 off 73 balls with wickets tumbling, but Parag’s onslaught brought them roaring back.
Parag’s momentum was disrupted when he fell to a wide slower ball from Harshit Rana at 173 for 7. Shimron Hetmyer (21 off 20) offered brief resistance, while the tail tried to hang on.
Shubham Dubey almost pulled off the impossible in the final over. Needing 22 from six balls, he clobbered Vaibhav Arora for 6, 4, and 6. With three required off the last delivery, he drilled a yorker to long-on and attempted a desperate second run, but Archer was found short after a superb throw from Rinku Singh.
KKR's bowlers, led by Varun Chakravarthy (2-32), Moeen Ali (2-43), and Harshit Rana (2-41), kept the Royals in check despite the late surge. Russell also bowled the crucial penultimate over, conceding just 11 runs to keep the pressure on.
Narine and Chakravarthy stifled the middle overs with disciplined spin, while Rana and Arora executed death-over plans under high pressure, despite some lapses. Moeen was hit for 32 in an over by Parag but kept his composure elsewhere.
The victory takes KKR closer to the playoff spots, keeping their fate in their own hands as the league phase nears its climax. For RR, it was a gut-wrenching loss that they will look to quickly recover from, with Parag’s brilliance a silver lining.
This game will be remembered not just for the razor-thin margin but for the individual performances that lit up the Eden Gardens under pressure.
