KKR Bounce Back with First IPL 2025 Win, Defeat Rajasthan Royals by 8 Wickets

Guwahati: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) registered their first victory of IPL 2025 in style, defeating Rajasthan Royals (RR) by eight wickets on Wednesday. South African opener Quinton de Kock played a match-winning knock, remaining unbeaten on 97 off 61 balls, as KKR comfortably chased down Rajasthan’s total of 151-9 with 15 balls to spare.

Opting to bowl first, KKR’s spin duo of Moeen Ali and Varun Chakravarthy put Rajasthan under pressure, taking two wickets each. Rajasthan’s struggles continued as wickets kept falling at regular intervals. Captain Sanju Samson, who is playing only as a batter due to injury, managed just 13 before being bowled by pacer Vaibhav Arora. Stand-in skipper Riyan Parag contributed 25 before Chakravarthy dismissed him. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (29) and Dhruv Jurel (33) tried to build a fightback, but Rajasthan ultimately settled for a below-par total.

In response, KKR got off to a solid start despite losing opener Moeen Ali (5) early. Skipper Ajinkya Rahane played a brisk 18-run cameo before falling, but De Kock remained in complete control. Alongside impact substitute Angkrish Raghuvanshi (22*), he guided KKR home with an unbeaten 83-run partnership, finishing the chase in style with a six off Jofra Archer.

This win marks a strong comeback for KKR after their opening loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, while Rajasthan Royals have now suffered their second consecutive defeat in IPL 2025.

Meanwhile, KKR’s former captain Shreyas Iyer, who led them to their third IPL title last year, is now playing for Punjab Kings after a high-profile $3.17 million move in the auction.

News Source : “Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.”