The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) displayed a spectacular performance against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Match 15 of IPL 2025 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on Thursday, April 3. They won the match by 80 runs, registering their second win in this season and moving to fifth place on the points table. Venkatesh Iyer and the brilliant KKR bowling unit provided star performances as they dismantled SRH’s batting line-up.
After being sent in to bat first, KKR fought through early losses and posted an imposing total of 200 runs for the loss of six wickets in 20 overs. Iyer was the chief architect with 60 runs off 29 balls, with support from Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who composed a very mature knock of 50 runs in only 32 balls.
KKR lost Quinton de Kock and Sunil Narine in the beginning stages of their innings. The middle order then stabilised the innings with stand after stand, and took full advantage of inconsistent bowling on the part of the Sunrisers. Rinku Singh contributed 32 not out off 17 deliveries toward the end of the innings to help KKR get over the line and cross the symbolically important mark of 200 runs.
The chase for SRH was turned into sheer disaster as it was early in the match when Vaibhav Arora dismissed Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, and left SRH at 9/3 within three overs. Heinrich Klaasen (33 off 21) and Kamindu Mendis (27 off 20) were allowed a bit of a fightback with some low scoring but little support from their colleagues. With some spin from Varun Chakaravarthy, three wickets were taken for just 22 runs, whereas Andre Russell chipped in with two strikes to complete the SRH innings at a meager 120 from 16.4 overs.
Key Performances Propel KKR to Victory
KKR’s batting revival was led by Venkatesh Iyer and Angkrish Raghuvanshi. While Iyer was at his aggressive best with boundaries all over the park, Raghuvanshi played a mature knock under pressure. Their partnership of 81 runs steadied KKR after early losses and set the platform for a solid finish. This late flourish from Rinku Singh only strengthened KKR’s batting depth.
The Knight Riders’ bowlers proved to be brilliant. Vaibhav Arora, Player of the Match, wrecked havoc early on with fiery spells (3/29), giving no chances for SRH build-up at the chase. Varun Chakaravarthy complemented Arora well with his accurate spin bowling, taking three important wickets while leaving SRH clueless. Andre Russell and Harshit Rana’s disciplined bowling acts added to the prestige.
This was Sunrisers Hyderabad’s third defeat in a row this season and their fourth loss to KKR since IPL 2024. Their top-order collapse again showcased the frailties that have plagued both their batting and bowling departments. Klaasen’s lone hand was never enough to forge partnerships or counter KKR’s varied attack.
