The IPL 2025 clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at Eden Gardens on Thursday, April 3, 2025, was a thrilling spectacle that showcased KKR's dominance in the tournament. The reigning champions posted a formidable target of 200 runs, ultimately securing an impressive 80-run victory over the Sunrisers.
After winning the toss, SRH skipper Pat Cummins opted to bowl first, a decision he later admitted he wasn't entirely confident about. “It looks like a good wicket, but I am terrible at reading pitches,” Cummins remarked at the toss. KKR, however, made the most of the batting-friendly conditions, bouncing back from a previous loss against the Mumbai Indians and demonstrating their prowess with the bat.
KKR's innings got off to a rocky start, with both openers dismissed for single-digit scores, leaving the team at a precarious 2 for 16. However, skipper Ajinkya Rahane and young Mumbai batter Angkrish Raghuvanshi steadied the ship, forging an 81-run partnership that proved crucial. Raghuvanshi, just 20 years old, played a pivotal role, scoring a well-crafted half-century with 50 runs off 32 balls.
Venkatesh Iyer then took center stage with a blistering knock of 60 runs off just 29 balls, which included 7 fours and 3 sixes. His explosive batting helped KKR reach a total of 200 runs, with Rinku Singh also contributing significantly with a quickfire 32 not out. “We had an off-day against Mumbai Indians, but it is also about playing fearless cricket and assessing the conditions. Preparation was good, and looking forward to the game,” Rahane stated post-match.
For SRH, the bowling attack saw Mohammed Shami take 1 for 29, while Kamindu Mendis made his mark with a remarkable bowling performance, ending with figures of 1 for 4 in his debut match. Despite their efforts, the Sunrisers struggled to contain KKR's batting onslaught.
When it came time for SRH to chase down the target, they found themselves in dire straits early on. They lost their first three wickets for just 9 runs, with Travis Head departing for a mere 4 runs and Abhishek Sharma falling to Harshit Rana. The pressure mounted as Heinrich Klaasen and Kamindu Mendis attempted to stabilize the innings, but they were unable to form any substantial partnerships.
Vaibhav Arora was the pick of the bowlers for KKR, finishing with impressive figures of 3 for 29, while Varun Chakravarthy also shone with the ball, claiming 3 wickets for just 22 runs. The duo's efforts dismantled the SRH batting lineup, leading to their collapse at 120 runs in just 16.4 overs.
“The ball was holding on a bit, not the Eden (Gardens pitch) I’m used to playing on. We feel we have a good score, a very competitive score on the board,” Venkatesh Iyer remarked during the break, and his words rang true as KKR's bowlers executed their plans flawlessly.
In the end, KKR's all-around performance ensured that they emerged victorious by a commanding 80 runs, marking a significant comeback after their previous defeat. This win not only boosts their confidence but also improves their net run rate, a crucial factor as the tournament progresses.
As for SRH, this defeat marks their third consecutive loss, raising questions about their batting strategy moving forward. With a talented yet inconsistent lineup, they will need to regroup and reassess their approach if they hope to turn their fortunes around in the upcoming matches.
The match at Eden Gardens was a showcase of KKR's resilience and skill, reaffirming their status as one of the teams to beat in IPL 2025. Fans can expect more thrilling encounters as the tournament unfolds.
