IPL | Russell explodes, Rana holds nerve as KKR survive Parag’s scare in last-over thriller

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ByDebayan Sinha, SportsCafe Editor

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KKR beat RR by just one run in a thrilling contest. KKR were powered by Angkrish Raghuvanshi's composure and Andre Russell's late-innings carnage to post 206/4. While Rajasthan’s chase was anchored by a valiant 95 off 45 balls from Riyan Parag, but the visitors fell agonizingly short of the target.

‌Aiming for a playoff spot, Kolkata Knight Riders faced off against Rajasthan Royals in a high-stakes clash at Eden Gardens. KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and chose to bat first on a flat batting deck. However, the home side had a shaky start as Sunil Narine was dismissed in the second over by Yudhvir Singh. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rahane then steadied the innings, taking KKR to 56/1 at the end of the powerplay. Gurbaz’s solid knock of 35 off 25 came to an end in the eighth over, but Angkrish Raghuvanshi joined Rahane to build a steady 42-run partnership, pushing the score to 107/2 in 12 overs. Riyan Parag broke the stand by dismissing Rahane in the 13th over, bringing Andre Russell to the crease. The Jamaican powerhouse wasted no time, scoring a rapid 27 off 17 balls and later notching up a 22-ball fifty. His explosive hitting, including a hat-trick of sixes off Maheesh Theekshana, and a late flourish from Rinku Singh helped KKR post an imposing 206/4 in 20 overs.

In response, Rajasthan Royals got off to a nightmare start, losing Vaibhav Suryavanshi and debutant Kunal Rathore in the first two overs. At 9/2, the chase looked in trouble, but Yashasvi Jaiswal and Riyan Parag counter-attacked, lifting the total to 59/2 by the end of the powerplay. Jaiswal was dismissed by Moeen Ali in the seventh over, and the pressure mounted when Varun Chakaravarthy struck twice in the eighth over, removing Dhruv Jurel and Wanindu Hasaranga. Despite the setbacks, Parag found an able partner in Shimron Hetmyer as the duo stitched together a magnificent 92-run stand, taking the score to 155/5 in 15 overs. During this period, Parag brought up a 27-ball fifty and stunned the crowd by hitting six sixes in a row across two overs. Just when the game tilted in Rajasthan’s favour, Harshit Rana turned the tide with two massive breakthroughs, dismissing Hetmyer in the 16th and Parag in the 18th over. The pressure fell on Jofra Archer and Shubham Dubey, who needed 22 runs off the final over. Dubey rose to the occasion, smashing two sixes and a four, taking the equation down to 3 runs off the final ball. But a dramatic last-ball run-out crushed Rajasthan’s hopes as KKR sealed a heart-pounding win by just one run.

Under Pressure!

Real Impact!

Thriller!

Hitting hard!

Thriller match!

Peak moment!

Seat edge!

Well played!

well played!

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