Introduction
In one of the most dramatic matches of IPL 2025, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) edged past Rajasthan Royals (RR) by a solitary run at Eden Gardens on May 4. Despite a breathtaking 95 from Riyan Parag and a late onslaught from Shubham Dubey, RR fell heartbreakingly short. KKR’s nerve in the final over, especially from Vaibhav Arora, kept their playoff hopes alive as they moved to sixth place on the points table.
Parag’s Heroic 95 Not Enough
Riyan Parag nearly pulled off a miracle for RR. Walking in with his side at 71/5, the stand-in captain launched an extraordinary counterattack. His 95 off just 44 balls included 8 sixes and 6 fours, reviving RR’s chase of 208 with a 92-run partnership alongside Shimron Hetmyer. Most notably, Parag struck five consecutive sixes off Moeen Ali in the 13th over and followed it with a reverse-sweep six off Varun Chakravarthy, equaling IPL records for consecutive sixes.
KKR Bowlers Hold Nerve in Final Overs
With 22 needed off the last over, Shubham Dubey reignited RR’s hopes by hammering two sixes and a four. But medium-pacer Vaibhav Arora delivered a perfect yorker with 3 runs needed off the final ball to seal the win for KKR. Earlier, Harshit Rana turned the tide by dismissing Hetmyer with a bouncer and then claiming Parag in the 18th over, denying the Royals a fairytale finish.
Hetmyer’s Return to Form
Shimron Hetmyer, who had struggled this season, played a composed knock of 29 off 23 balls. His rotation of strike and occasional boundaries allowed Parag to attack relentlessly. Their 92-run stand gave RR a realistic shot at chasing down KKR’s 207, but Hetmyer’s dismissal proved a turning point.
KKR Batting Highlights
Earlier in the day, KKR posted 207/6 on the back of solid top-order contributions. While the scorecard was dominated by partnerships, it was the middle order’s acceleration that gave KKR a strong finish. Varun Chakravarthy and Moeen Ali also impressed with the ball, building pressure early in RR’s innings and snaring key wickets.
Playoff Race Heats Up
With this win, KKR moved up to sixth place with 11 points from 11 matches, keeping their playoff hopes alive. RR, on the other hand, slipped after yet another last-over defeat — a pattern that’s cost them dearly this season.
Conclusion
It was a night of high-octane drama at Eden Gardens, where a young Riyan Parag nearly pulled off the impossible. But KKR’s bowlers, led by Harshit Rana and Vaibhav Arora, ensured they held their nerve under pressure. As IPL 2025 heads into its final stretch, every run, wicket, and over is proving crucial in the tightly-contested playoff race.
Don’t miss: Harshit Rana’s Game-Changing Spells in IPL 2025
