IPL 2025: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals Match Preview
Match Details
The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are set to clash with the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the 53rd match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. This exciting encounter will take place at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on May 4, 2025, starting at 03:30 PM IST.
Kolkata Knight Riders' Situation
KKR is currently in a critical position, fighting to stay in the tournament. Their upcoming matches are crucial, and they recently secured a vital 12-run win against the Delhi Capitals, keeping their hopes alive. Presently, under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane, they are positioned just above the Rajasthan Royals in the points table. With four matches remaining, a victory in this game would significantly boost their confidence.
Rajasthan Royals' Challenges
The Rajasthan Royals have faced elimination from IPL 2025 after suffering a heavy 100-run defeat to the Mumbai Indians in their last outing. The Mumbai team scored an impressive 217 runs, while RR could only manage 117 runs before being bowled out. This loss has dashed their playoff aspirations, leaving Riyan Parag's team in eighth place. They will be looking to finish their season on a positive note.
Pitch Analysis
Eden Gardens has provided a balanced pitch in previous matches, aiding both bowlers and batsmen. However, as this match is scheduled for the afternoon, the pitch may dry out faster, potentially favoring spinners as the game progresses. The average first innings score at this venue this season is 202, suggesting that fans can expect another high-scoring match.
Head-to-Head Record at Eden Gardens
| KKR vs RR head-to-head at Eden Gardens | |
| Matches Played | 10 |
| Won by Kolkata Knight Riders | 6 |
| Won by Rajasthan Royals | 4 |
| No Result | 0 |
| Tied | 0 |
Probable Playing XI
Kolkata Knight Riders: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Anukul Roy, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Harshit Rana, Rovman Powell, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakravarthy
(Impact Subs: Venkatesh Iyer, Manish Pandey, Anukul Roy, Moeen Ali, Luvnith Sisodia, Mayank Markande)
Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag (c), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Akash Madhwal, Kumar Kartikeya, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
(Impact Subs: Kumar Karthikeya, Tushar Deshpande, Kwena Maphaka, Kunal Singh)
Key Players to Watch
Top Wicketkeeper
- Dhruv Jurel | RR: With 249 runs in 10 innings at an average of 35.57, including a half-century, Jurel has been a consistent performer this season and is a valuable addition to any fantasy team.
Top Batters
- Ajinkya Rahane | KKR: The KKR captain has amassed 297 runs in 9 matches, averaging 37.13. His performance has been pivotal for the team, and he will look to maintain his aggressive approach.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal | RR: The young left-hander has regained form, scoring 439 runs in 11 matches with a strike rate of 154.04. His recent performances include three fifties, making him a key player for RR.
Top All-Rounders
- Sunil Narine | KKR: Narine has been instrumental as an all-rounder, contributing 178 runs and taking 10 wickets in 9 matches. His all-around capabilities make him a must-have in fantasy teams.
- Riyan Parag | RR: Parag has scored 282 runs at a strike rate of 160.23 this season and is eager to make a significant impact in this match.
Top Bowlers
- Varun Chakravarthy | KKR: With 13 wickets in 10 matches, Chakravarthy has been a standout bowler this season, showcasing his skills in crucial moments.
- Maheesh Theekshana | RR: Although his wicket tally is modest, Theekshana has shown promise and could be a key player in upcoming matches.