Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mounted a formidable total of 200 runs for the loss of six wickets against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at Eden Gardens on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in match number 15 of the IPL 2025 season. The innings was marked by explosive performances from Venkatesh Iyer and Rinku Singh, who shared a breathtaking 91-run partnership that turned the tide for the hosts.
The match started with KKR facing early setbacks as captain Ajinkya Rahane lost the toss and was put in to bat first by SRH skipper Pat Cummins. The opening pair struggled, with Quinton de Kock dismissed for just 1 run off 6 balls, caught by Zeeshan Ansari off Cummins’ bowling. Sunil Narine followed suit, managing only 7 runs before falling to Mohammed Shami, leaving KKR in a precarious position at 16 for 2 within the first three overs.
However, the innings steadied when Ajinkya Rahane and young Angkrish Raghuvanshi combined for an impressive 81-run partnership for the third wicket. Rahane scored 38 runs off 27 balls, while Raghuvanshi showcased his talent with a fluent half-century, scoring 50 runs off 32 balls with five boundaries and two sixes. This partnership brought KKR back into contention after their rocky start.
Despite the promising recovery, KKR found themselves in trouble again when Raghuvanshi was dismissed by Zeeshan Ansari, leaving the team at 106 for 4. Enter Venkatesh Iyer and Rinku Singh, who took charge in the backend of the innings. Iyer, who had faced criticism for earlier performances, silenced his doubters with a blistering knock of 60 runs off just 29 balls, including seven boundaries and three sixes. His explosive batting was a sight to behold, as he reached his fifty in just 25 balls, marking his third consecutive half-century against SRH.
Rinku Singh provided solid support, remaining unbeaten on 32 runs off 17 deliveries, featuring four boundaries and a six. Together, they propelled KKR from a precarious 106 for 4 to a commanding total of 200 for 6, scoring a staggering 94 runs in the last five overs alone. Their partnership is now one of the highest fifth-wicket stands in KKR's history, underscoring their ability to shift momentum in crucial moments.
Reflecting on his innings, Iyer noted, "The ball was holding on a bit, not the Eden (Gardens pitch) I am used to playing at. We feel we have a good score, a very competitive score. I did not get a lot of runs in the first two games, so just wanted to get a feel of the wicket." He also credited his teammates for setting up the innings, emphasizing the importance of their contributions.
As the innings concluded, the KKR camp was buoyed by their performance, and they now look forward to defending their total. The SRH bowlers had a mixed outing, with each of Cummins, Shami, Ansari, Harshal Patel, and Kamindu Mendis picking up a wicket, but they struggled to contain the KKR batsmen during the death overs.
With 201 runs required for victory, SRH faces a challenging chase ahead. The defending champions will need their top-order batsmen to fire if they are to secure their second win of the season. KKR's bowling attack, led by the likes of Pat Cummins and Mohammed Shami, will be keen to capitalize on their strong batting performance and deliver a solid showing with the ball.
In summary, KKR's innings was a thrilling spectacle, marked by a powerful display of batting from Iyer and Singh, who have now set the stage for an exciting contest against SRH. The match continues to unfold, and fans are eagerly anticipating how the visitors will respond in their chase.
