Sunrisers Hyderabad’s captain Pat Cummins with Kolkata Knight Riders’ captain Ajinkya Rahane before the start of an Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders, at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, April 3, 2025
| Photo Credit: PTI
Following an ignominious defeat to Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders bounced back emphatically to outplay Sunrisers Hyderabad by 80 runs and record its second win in the Indian Premier League at the Eden Gardens here on Thursday.
Inserted, KKR rode on Venkatesh Iyer and Angkrish Raghuvanshi’s brilliant half-centuries to score 200 for six and then relied on Vaibhav Arora and Varun Chakaravarthy’s three-wicket hauls to restrict a strong SRH to 120 for a morale-boosting victory.
SRH sent back KKR openers early with skipper Pat Cummins and Mohammed Shami scalped Quinton de Kock and Sunil Narine respectively.
Nevertheless, home captain Ajinkya Rahane (38, 27b, 1×4, 4×6) maintained his composure to exhibit his clean-hitting skills. He plundered sixes on the on-side while helping KKR gather 53 in the first six overs.
Raghuvanshi (50, 32b, 5×4, 2×6) applied himself in a much-needed 51-ball 81-run partnership with Rahane. The younger Mumbaikar not only worked the ball around but also showcased some impressive shots, predominantly on the off-side.
KKR was in for a double blow as Rahane was caught behind while attempting a reverse sweep off leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari and Raghuvanshi, let off on 43, was spectacularly caught by Harshal Patel at deep backward point off Kamindu Mendis.
SRH gained control briefly before the southpaw duo of Venkatesh and Rinku Singh’s late charge propelled KKR to get 200 for the first time in the season.
Venkatesh (60, 29b, 7×4, 3×6) stuck to his strength while scoring his first fifty of the season, while Rinku (32 n.o., 17b, 4×4, 1×6) hammered some entertaining shots to form an important 41-ball 91-run stand.
On a tricky track, Venkatesh’s combination of innovation and typical stroke-play, plundering 21 runs, including three fours and a six, off the penultimate over by Cummins, delighted the partially-filled Eden.
SRH’s reply was disastrous as KKR pacers executed their plans well and reduced the visitors to nine for three.
Vaibhav struck in consecutive overs to remove danger-man Travis Head, who skied one to mid-off, and Ishan Kishan, superbly caught by Rahane at cover, while Harshit Rana claimed Abhishek Sharma.
SRH lost wickets regularly to suffer its third straight loss.
Published – April 03, 2025 07:49 pm IST
