KKR VS RR IPL 2025 Last Ball Thriller Russell Harshit Rana Eden Gardens
IPL Drama at Its Peak in Kolkata
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is no stranger to dramatic finishes, but the clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the 53rd match of IPL 2025 was a contest for the ages. Held at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, this high-voltage encounter lived up to its billing as one of the best matches of the season.
In a battle of nerves, KKR managed to snatch a 1-run victory, successfully defending a target of 206. Despite a heroic knock from Riyan Parag, who played the innings of his life, the Rajasthan Royals couldn’t cross the finish line, thanks to the final-over brilliance from Harshit Rana and a stunning run-out on the last ball involving Rinku Singh and Vaibhav Arora.
This blog dives deep into the match, analyzing every twist and turn, evaluating key performances, and exploring how this thriller shapes the road to the IPL 2025 playoffs.
Kolkata Knight Riders Set the Tone: 206/4 in 20 Overs
Powerplay Brilliance and Aggressive Intent
Winning the toss and choosing to bat first, KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane made a bold decision at a high-scoring venue. The opening duo of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sunil Narine started aggressively, taking on the new-ball bowlers with fierce intent.
- Narine was the first to go, scoring 11 off 9 balls, falling in the second over to Yudhvir Singh Charak.
- Gurbaz, playing the role of the aggressor, hammered 35 off 25 deliveries, including 4 boundaries and 1 six, before being dismissed by Maheesh Theekshana.
By the end of the powerplay, KKR had amassed 56 runs, laying a solid platform for a massive total.
Middle Overs: Steady Buildup and Acceleration
Ajinkya Rahane, batting at No. 3, anchored the innings with a controlled 30 off 24 balls. He played a pivotal role in ensuring stability after the loss of early wickets. The standout performer in the middle overs, however, was Angkrish Raghuvanshi. The young southpaw dazzled with a fluent 44 off 31 balls, showcasing maturity beyond his years.
Raghuvanshi’s knock featured a mix of classical strokes and innovative hitting, especially against the spinners Wanindu Hasaranga and Riyan Parag.
Death Overs Mayhem: Russell Unleashes the Beast
The game turned dramatically in the final five overs when Andre Russell walked in. The Caribbean powerhouse exhibited his trademark six-hitting spree, finishing unbeaten on 57 off just 25 balls with 5 sixes and 2 boundaries.
Rinku Singh provided finishing support with a quick 19* off 6 balls. Together, they added 34 runs in the last two overs, propelling KKR to 206/4 — a formidable total under pressure.
Rajasthan’s Bowling Struggles
The Rajasthan Royals’ bowlers looked out of rhythm throughout the innings:
- Jofra Archer conceded 30 in his 4 overs.
- Theekshana, the pick of the bowlers, was economical but couldn’t contain Russell.
- Riyan Parag, trying to balance captaincy and all-round duties, struggled to contain the runs in his three overs.
Rajasthan Royals’ Chase: A Rollercoaster Ride to 205/8
Early Collapse: Royals in Trouble at 8/2
Chasing 207, Rajasthan Royals had a horror start:
- Vaibhav Suryavanshi was dismissed for 4 in the very first over.
- Kunal Singh Rathore followed him soon after for a duck, leaving RR at 8/2 inside two overs.
The early damage was inflicted by Vaibhav Arora and Moeen Ali, who made excellent use of the new ball.
Riyan Parag to the Rescue
With wickets tumbling, it was skipper Riyan Parag who took matters into his own hands. In arguably the best knock of his IPL career, Parag scored a breathtaking 95 off 45 balls, hitting 6 fours and 8 sixes.
His assault on the KKR bowlers, particularly against Moeen Ali and Harshit Rana, brought RR back into the game. At one stage, it seemed Parag alone would pull off an incredible win.
He was ably supported by Shimron Hetmyer (29 off 23), who rotated the strike well and punished the bad balls. Their partnership added 92 crucial runs.
Chakaravarthy Strikes Back
Varun Chakaravarthy, known for his mystery spin, turned the game once again with two quick wickets:
- He dismissed Dhruv Jurel and Hasaranga in the 8th over, setting RR back again.
The dismissals halted Rajasthan’s momentum just as it looked like the game was swinging in their favor.
Final Overs: A Finish Worthy of a Classic
Parag’s Dismissal: The Turning Point
Parag was eventually dismissed in the 18th over by Harshit Rana, caught brilliantly by Vaibhav Arora at deep mid-wicket. With Parag gone, RR needed 34 runs off 14 balls, and the game tilted once again.
Last-Over Drama: Archer and Dubey Nearly Pull It Off
Going into the final over, Rajasthan needed 9 runs off 6 balls, with Shubham Dubey and Jofra Archer at the crease.
- Archer hit a boundary off the second ball.
- With 2 runs needed off the last ball, Archer attempted a second run for a tie but was run out by a lightning throw from Rinku Singh, assisted by Vaibhav Arora.
KKR won by 1 run, sparking wild celebrations on the field and in the stands.
Tactical Breakdown: What Worked and What Didn’t
KKR’s Strategies That Paid Off
- Batting Depth: Russell and Rinku at No. 6 and 7 provided explosive finishes.
- Spin in the Middle Overs: Varun and Moeen broke partnerships and applied pressure.
- Bowling Changes: Timely introduction of Harshit Rana to remove key batters like Hetmyer and Parag was a game-changer.
RR’s Tactical Errors
- Batting Order: Promoting inexperienced players early backfired.
- Death Bowling: Failure to contain Russell in the final overs inflated the target.
- Lack of a Finish Strategy: The team seemed unprepared after Parag’s dismissal, relying too much on last-minute heroics.
Star Performers
⭐ Andre Russell (KKR) – Player of the Match
- 57* (25), SR: 228.00
- One over for just 11 runs
- Showed once again why he’s a T20 giant
⭐ Riyan Parag (RR)
- 95 (45), SR: 211.11
- Captain’s knock under pressure
⭐ Harshit Rana (KKR)
- 2/41 in 4 overs
- Key wickets at death
- Defended the final over with poise
⭐ Varun Chakaravarthy (KKR)
- 2/32 in 4 overs
- Broke crucial partnerships
Eden Gardens: The Fortress of Roars
The electrifying atmosphere at Eden Gardens deserves special mention. Over 60,000 spectators witnessed this thriller, with chants of “Korbo Lorbo Jeetbo” reverberating as KKR clinched the victory.
The pitch offered even bounce and short boundaries, aiding stroke play but also rewarding accurate bowling. Eden continues to remain a fortress for KKR in IPL 2025.
Impact on Points Table and Playoffs
This victory bolsters KKR’s chances of qualifying for the IPL 2025 playoffs, pushing them into the top 4. With momentum on their side, they’re shaping up to be one of the most balanced units this season.
For Rajasthan Royals, this loss is a setback, especially after being so close. The form of Riyan Parag is a silver lining, but they’ll need to regroup quickly with only a few league games remaining.
Final Thoughts: IPL at Its Best
The KKR vs RR match was a showcase of everything that makes IPL the most thrilling cricket league in the world — big hits, late drama, young talent, and emotional finishes. Matches like these don’t just determine points; they define the legacy of players and test the tactical intelligence of team management.
As KKR celebrates a hard-earned win, the spotlight remains on their rise under Rahane’s calm leadership, Russell’s destructive consistency, and the new-gen promise of players like Angkrish and Harshit. Rajasthan, though heartbroken, can walk away with their heads high, knowing they were just one run away from rewriting history.
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