How Did Fiery Performances from Russell and Raghuvanshi Propel KKR to 206/4 Against RR in IPL 2025?

Kolkata, May 4 (NationPress) In a thrilling IPL 2025 encounter at Eden Gardens, Andre Russell's explosive half-century along with Angkrish Raghuvanshi's commendable 44 off 31 balls led the Kolkata Knight Riders to a formidable total of 206/4 against the Rajasthan Royals.

During the final five overs, KKR racked up an impressive 85 runs, showcasing the exceptional hitting skills of Russell and Raghuvanshi. Russell finished the innings unbeaten on 57 off 25 deliveries, featuring six towering sixes and four boundaries.

Choosing to bat first, KKR faced early challenges as Yudhvir Singh dismissed Sunil Narine for 11 runs on his very first delivery. Skipper Ajinkya Rahane partnered with Rahmanullah Gurbaz to stabilize the innings during the powerplay.

Gurbaz struck two consecutive fours off Singh, while Rahane launched a six over mid-wicket, ending the over with a total of 15 runs. The Afghanistan batter further impressed by hitting a maximum against Maheesh Theekshana, contributing 11 runs in the penultimate powerplay over.

Rahane capitalized on the sixth over, scoring a six and a four off Akash Madhwal to add 13 runs, wrapping up the powerplay at 56/1.

The 56-run partnership for the second wicket was broken in the eighth over when Theekshana sent Gurbaz back for 35 runs off 25 balls, which included four fours and a six.

Coming in at number four, Raghuvanshi wasted no time, hitting a four off Wanindu Hasaranga and maintaining the run rate against Riyan Parag with another boundary in the subsequent over.

In the 13th over, Parag struck again, dismissing Rahane for 30 runs, leaving KKR at 111/3.

Russell joined Raghuvanshi, and together they accelerated the scoring. Russell took charge in the 16th over against Madhwal, scoring 15 runs with a flurry of fours and sixes. He continued to dominate in the next over against Jofra Archer, hitting a six and a four to keep the momentum going.

In the 18th over, Russell unleashed his power against Theekshana, hitting three consecutive sixes, pushing KKR past 150 runs. He also became the third KKR player to cross 1000 IPL runs at Eden Gardens.

Just six runs shy of his half-century, Raghuvanshi was caught at deep backward square leg off Archer's first ball in the penultimate over.

Russell didn’t hold back, hitting a six and a four to register his first half-century of the season in just 22 balls.

In the final over, Rinku Singh took control, smashing a four and two sixes in successive balls, amassing 22 runs from the over, which also included three wides from Madhwal.

Summary: Kolkata Knight Riders finished at 206/4 in 20 overs (Angkrish Raghuvanshi 44, Andre Russell 57 not out; Jofra Archer 1-30, Maheesh Theekshana 1-41) against Rajasthan Royals.