Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders: Match Scorecard & Highlights
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) displayed a dominant performance against Rajasthan Royals (RR), securing an impressive eight-wicket victory despite missing Sunil Narine. The spinners, led by Moeen Ali and Varun Chakravarthy, stifled RR’s batting lineup, restricting them to a modest total of 151 for 9. Quinton de Kock then steered KKR to victory with a stellar unbeaten 97 off 61 balls.
RR Struggle Against KKR’s Spin Attack
Rajasthan Royals faced difficulties on the sluggish Guwahati pitch. Captain Riyan Parag, playing in his hometown, provided some early fireworks but was dismissed for 29 off 24 balls. His aggressive approach saw him smash a stunning one-handed six off Harshit Rana and a lofted drive over the bowler’s head.
However, RR’s strategy fell apart against KKR’s spinners. Moeen Ali, filling in for the unwell Sunil Narine, struck early by dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal. Meanwhile, Varun Chakravarthy’s precision forced Parag into a miscalculated shot, leading to his dismissal. RR’s attempt to utilize Wanindu Hasaranga as a pinch-hitter backfired, as he managed only four runs before falling to Varun. The middle order collapse saw RR slide from 67 for 1 to 82 for 5, derailing their game plan.
Late Flourish from RR’s Lower Order
Dhruv Jurel’s gritty 33 off 28 balls helped RR cross the 150-mark. Jofra Archer provided some resistance, but KKR’s disciplined bowling, particularly from Varun (2 for 17) and Moeen (2 for 23), ensured RR’s total remained below par. KKR’s spinners conceded only one boundary throughout their spell, in stark contrast to RR’s bowlers, who leaked runs.
De Kock’s Heroics Seal the Win for KKR
KKR’s chase got off to a strong start, with de Kock dominating the powerplay. He smashed 34 of KKR’s first 40 runs, taking on Jofra Archer and Maheesh Theekshana with well-timed strokes. Moeen Ali struggled with the bat, contributing only five runs before a mix-up led to his run-out.
RR had a glimmer of hope when Hasaranga removed Ajinkya Rahane for 18 off 15 balls, but that was quickly extinguished. De Kock and young Angkrish Raghuvanshi (36*) formed an unbroken 83-run partnership off just 44 balls, ensuring KKR cruised to victory with ease.
De Kock reached his half-century in style, launching Hasaranga for a massive six. He followed it up with another powerful hit off Parag. Had RR set a bigger target, de Kock might have gone on to complete a well-deserved century.
Key Takeaways from the Match
- Moeen Ali & Varun Chakravarthy were instrumental in restricting RR with a combined spell of 4 for 40 in eight overs.
- Riyan Parag showed promise but couldn’t convert his start into a big score.
- Quinton de Kock stole the show with an unbeaten 97, ensuring a comfortable win for KKR.
- RR’s total of 151 for 9 was the lowest in the tournament so far, highlighting their batting struggles.
KKR’s all-round dominance in the match showcased their depth, making them a formidable contender this season.
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