IPL 2025: Watson Commends De Kock's Stellar Performance Against RR
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Synopsis
In an impressive display, Quinton de Kock scored an unbeaten 97 to lead Kolkata Knight Riders to victory over Rajasthan Royals, earning praise from former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson for his vintage batting performance.
Key Takeaways
- Quinton de Kock scored an unbeaten 97 for KKR.
- KKR chased down RR's total of 151 in just 17.3 overs.
- Varun Chakaravarthy and Moeen Ali excelled in bowling.
- RR struggled with shot selection and timing.
- Watson highlighted the quality of KKR's spin attack.
New Delhi, March 27 (NationPress) The former Australian all-rounder commended Quinton de Kock's brilliant unbeaten 97, which helped Kolkata Knight Riders secure a smooth chase against Rajasthan Royals, labeling his performance as vintage and masterfully executed.
Following the impressive efforts of spin duo Varun Chakaravarthy (2-17) and Moeen Ali (2-23), who kept RR to 151/9 in the absence of Sunil Narine, De Kock's unbeaten 61-ball 97, featuring eight fours and six sixes, propelled KKR to their target in just 17.3 overs at the Barsapara Stadium on Wednesday night.
"It certainly was a straightforward chase, and Quinton de Kock was absolutely exceptional tonight. That was vintage Quinton de Kock - a display of brilliance we've witnessed over the past 10 to 15 years, be it in the IPL or on the international platform. He executed his shots exquisitely.
"That pull shot he played off Jofra Archer over mid-wicket - my goodness - it showcased the remarkable form he is in. This performance will instill immense confidence in KKR, knowing they possess such explosive potential in their middle order. It’s a vital confidence-boosting win for KKR tonight," Watson shared on JioHotstar.
Rajasthan Royals batted first, starting steadily as Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal put together 33 for the opening wicket before the former got himself out in the fourth over. Their top order then faltered due to poor shot selection, leading to RR's decline from 67/1 to 82/5 in just 19 balls.
Dhruv Jurel spearheaded a brief comeback, lifting the Royals from 92/5 in 13 overs to 131/6 in 18. Although he fell in the penultimate over, Archer's unbeaten 16 off 7 helped the Royals finish with a respectable score.
Reflecting on Rajasthan Royals' performance, Watson noted, "The Rajasthan Royals batters found it challenging to locate their timing and made several execution mistakes, which hindered them from setting a larger total. A key difference was the quality and skill of KKR’s spin attack.
"Varun Chakravarthy and Moeen Ali bowled exceptionally well, while Rajasthan’s bowlers, especially in the middle overs, lacked the effectiveness we've seen from them previously. This made it much simpler for Quinton de Kock - he exhibited patience, waiting for loose deliveries, and avoided taking unnecessary risks. With his diverse range of shots, he can accelerate rapidly when performing at his peak."
