In a low-scoring thriller at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured a commanding victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR), thanks to a masterful innings from Quinton de Kock and an outstanding spin performance by Varun Chakaravarthy and Moeen Ali.
KKR Spinners Dismantle RR’s Batting Lineup
Rajasthan Royals struggled to build momentum after an early setback when captain Sanju Samson was cleaned up by Vaibhav Arora. The real damage, however, came from KKR’s spinners.
Moeen Ali, stepping in for an unwell Sunil Narine, struck twice, removing Yashasvi Jaiswal and Nitish Rana. Meanwhile, Varun Chakaravarthy was unplayable on the slow Guwahati pitch, claiming the crucial wicket of Wanindu Hasaranga, who misjudged the turn and holed out to mid-off.
Ryan Parag, leading RR in Samson’s absence, showed some intent with aggressive stroke play but fell trying to take on Chakaravarthy. The wickets tumbled quickly—Parag in the 8th over, Jaiswal in the 9th, Hasaranga in the 10th, and Rana in the 11th—leaving Rajasthan reeling.
Jofra Archer’s Tough Outing Continues
After conceding the most expensive spell in IPL history against Sunrisers Hyderabad (76 runs in four overs), Jofra Archer looked to redeem himself. He started with fiery pace, troubling Moeen Ali in the first over. However, Quinton de Kock was in no mood for mercy.
De Kock capitalized on Archer’s errors, dispatching a wide delivery for four and following up with a monstrous six. The South African batter’s dominance forced KKR to remove Archer from the attack, as he finished with an economy rate of 13.20.
De Kock’s Brilliance Seals KKR’s Victory
With Rajasthan’s spinners looking dangerous, KKR needed a composed innings. De Kock delivered with a blend of power-hitting and smart rotation of strike. He took on Hasaranga with two towering sixes, unsettling the Royals’ spin duo. A classy straight drive against Hasaranga and a six off part-time spinner Parag further asserted KKR’s control.
As the match neared its conclusion, Archer’s return in the 18th over was met with fireworks. De Kock flicked one to mid-on for four, pulled another for six over fine leg, and finished the game in style with a six down the ground.
His knock ensured KKR’s chase never wavered, handing them a comfortable win on a tricky surface.
Key Highlights:
- Varun Chakaravarthy & Moeen Ali led KKR’s bowling attack, dismantling RR’s batting order.
- Jofra Archer struggled again, conceding runs at 13.20 per over.
- Quinton de Kock played a match-winning innings, steering KKR home with calculated aggression.
With this win, KKR solidified their place in the top half of the IPL standings, while Rajasthan Royals will need to reassess their batting strategy for the upcoming games.
