The sixth match of IPL 2025 saw an electrifying showdown between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati. The match ended in a commanding eight-wicket win for KKR, thanks to a stellar performance from Quinton de Kock (97 off 61 balls)* and a disciplined effort by the KKR spinners.

Match Summary: KKR Outclass RR in a One-Sided Encounter

RR’s Struggles with the Bat

Winning the toss, KKR opted to bowl first, and their decision paid off handsomely as they restricted Rajasthan Royals to 151/9 in 20 overs. The RR batting lineup struggled against Kolkata's spin attack, with key contributions coming from:

• Sanju Samson – 34 (27)
• Riyan Parag – 31 (26)
• Moeen Ali & Varun Chakaravarthy – Combined bowling figures of 6/47 in 8 overs

Sunil Narine missed the match due to illness, but Varun Chakaravarthy and Moeen Ali ensured KKR didn’t feel his absence. Rajasthan’s innings never gained real momentum as wickets kept falling at regular intervals.

Quinton de Kock’s Show Under the Guwahati Sky

Chasing 152, KKR started with a slight hiccup, losing Rahmanullah Gurbaz early. However, it was Quinton de Kock’s night, as he took charge of the chase, smashing an unbeaten 97 off 61 balls with 8 fours and 6 sixes.

Key moments from the chase:

• De Kock’s dominant strokes saw him register his highest IPL score for KKR.
• He equaled MS Dhoni’s record for most unbeaten 90+ scores in IPL history.
• Shreyas Iyer (34 off 28) provided crucial support, helping KKR ease to victory in 17.5 overs.

KKR finished at 152/2, securing their first win of the season convincingly.

Top Performances of the Match

🔥 Quinton de Kock (KKR) - 97 (61)*

• A near-century knock that took KKR home with ease.
• Maintained a strike rate of 159 and played a masterful innings under pressure.

🎭 Varun Chakaravarthy (KKR) - 4-0-23-2

• His tight bowling in the middle overs strangled RR’s batters.
• Key wickets of Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag helped KKR maintain control.

🌀 Moeen Ali (KKR) - 4-0-24-2

• Provided crucial breakthroughs and controlled RR’s scoring rate.

🏏 Sanju Samson (RR) - 34 (27)

• One of the few RR batters who looked comfortable before falling to Varun.

Turning Points of the Match

✅ KKR’s early breakthroughs: Rajasthan never recovered after a sluggish powerplay.
✅ De Kock’s fearless approach: His counterattack put RR on the back foot.
✅ KKR’s spin dominance: Moeen Ali & Varun Chakaravarthy squeezed the run flow.

Post-Match Reactions

Quinton de Kock (KKR)

"I wanted to make it count. The team has shown great trust in me, and I’m glad to repay them with a good knock."

Sanju Samson (RR Captain)

"We were 20-30 runs short. Credit to KKR bowlers, they made life difficult for us. We’ll bounce back."

Shreyas Iyer (KKR Captain)

"De Kock was phenomenal today. Our bowlers set the tone, and we executed our chase perfectly."

Stats & Records Broken

📌 De Kock equals MS Dhoni’s record for most unbeaten 90+ scores in IPL.
📌 KKR moves up in IPL 2025 points table with their first win.
📌 Rajasthan Royals fail to cross 160 for the second consecutive match.

What’s Next?

• KKR will take on Lucknow Super Giants in their next match.
• RR will look to bounce back when they face Chennai Super Kings.

Final Thoughts

Kolkata Knight Riders delivered a comprehensive performance, showcasing a mix of solid bowling and outstanding batting. Rajasthan Royals, on the other hand, need to address their batting woes ahead of their upcoming fixtures. The IPL 2025 season is heating up, and fans can expect more thrilling contests in the coming weeks!

🚀 Stay tuned for more IPL updates! #TATAIPL #RRvKKR