IPL 2025: Varun and Moeen each claim two wickets as KKR limits RR to 151/9
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Synopsis
In the IPL 2025 match, KKR's Moeen Ali and Varun Chakravarthy excelled with two wickets each, restricting RR to 151/9. The match showcased KKR's bowling strength without Andre Russell's input. Jurel and Archer's efforts helped RR cross 150 despite their top-order collapse.
Key Takeaways
- Moeen Ali and Varun Chakravarthy both took two wickets.
- RR fell from 67/1 to 82/5 due to poor shot selection.
- Dhruv Jurel scored 33 runs for RR.
- Jofra Archer contributed a quick 16 runs.
- KKR's bowlers dominated without Andre Russell.
Guwahati, March 26 (NationPress) Making his debut in the IPL for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Moeen Ali showcased his skills in the absence of Sunil Narine by taking 2-23, while Varun Chakravarthy made a strong comeback with 2-17, helping the defending champions restrict Rajasthan Royals (RR) to 151/9 in the sixth match of IPL 2025 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
Thanks to the outstanding performances of Narine and Chakravarthy, KKR did not even require Andre Russell’s bowling, as RR suffered a collapse from 67/1 to 82/5. The RR batsmen's poor shot selection compounded their troubles. Only Dhruv Jurel’s 33 off 28 balls and Jofra Archer’s quickfire 16 enabled RR to surpass 150.
Batting first, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson started with a boundary each in the opening over. Although Spencer Johnson and Vaibhav Arora found some swing, Samson struggled. Jaiswal, however, impressed with a straight drive and a hook, scoring a four and a six.
Samson attempted to loft Arora on the off-side but ended up losing his wicket to a yorker, departing for 13. RR continued their aggressive approach, with local hero Riyan Parag dazzling the crowd with two sixes while Jaiswal hit a maximum over long-off, concluding the power play at 54/1.
After Parag struck Chakravarthy for a six over mid-wicket, the spinner gained revenge by catching RR’s skipper miscuing a lofted shot, leading to his dismissal for 25. RR’s decline continued as Jaiswal fell to Moeen, and Wanindu Hasaranga was caught off Chakravarthy, while Nitish Rana was bowled through the gate by Moeen.
Jurel sought to revive RR's innings with a four off Moeen and several boundaries off Harshit Rana, even after losing Shubham Dubey to Arora. Jurel's efforts included a scoop and two beautiful drives, but he eventually fell for 33
The RR innings faced a setback with Shimron Hetmyer getting caught off Rana in the 19th over, thwarting their hopes for a strong finish. It was Jofra Archer's two sixes in a quick seven-ball 16 that helped RR reach the 150 mark.
Brief Scores: Rajasthan Royals 151/9 in 20 overs (Dhruv Jurel 33, Yashasvi Jaiswal 29; Varun Chakaravarthy 2-17, Moeen Ali 2-23) against Kolkata Knight Riders
