Eden Gardens, Kolkata** – In a high-octane IPL 2025 clash, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) delivered a commanding performance against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), securing a massive 80-run victory in front of a roaring home crowd. The defending champions showcased their batting firepower, posting a formidable 200/6, before their bowlers dismantled SRH’s chase, leaving them reeling at 120/9 by the 18th over.
KKR’s Batting Masterclass: Venkatesh Iyer, Angkrish Raghuvanshi Shine
The foundation of KKR’s dominance was laid by a scintillating 60 off just 29 balls from Venkatesh Iyer, who tore into the SRH bowling attack, particularly targeting captain Pat Cummins in a brutal 20-run over. Iyer’s explosive knock, laced with 5 fours and 4 sixes, shifted the momentum decisively in KKR’s favor.
Youngster Angkrish Raghuvanshi also played a crucial role, scoring a well-compiled 50 off 32 deliveries, proving once again why he’s one of the most exciting talents in the league. The duo’s partnership kept SRH’s bowlers under constant pressure, ensuring KKR maintained a high run rate throughout the innings.
Veteran Ajinkya Rahane (38) and finisher Rinku Singh (32) provided the late flourish, ensuring KKR crossed the 200-run mark, a psychological advantage that proved too steep for SRH to overcome.
SRH’s Chase Unravels Early
Chasing 201, Sunrisers Hyderabad never got going, losing wickets at regular intervals. The early dismissals of Travis Head (9) and Abhishek Sharma (12) set the tone for a disastrous innings. The middle order crumbled under pressure, with Aniket Verma (6) becoming the sixth batter to fall, leaving SRH at 85/6 by the 12th over.
Heinrich Klaasen (28) and Pat Cummins (15) attempted a brief fightback, but the required run rate kept climbing, and KKR’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure. Mitchell Starc (2/18) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/24) were the pick of the bowlers, ensuring SRH never gained any momentum.
Turning Points of the Match
Venkatesh Iyer’s Carnage Against Cummins
The 18th over bowled by Pat Cummins turned the game on its head, as Venkatesh Iyer smashed 20 runs, including two sixes and two fours, completely dismantling SRH’s plans.
2. SRH’s Top-Order Collapse
The early wickets of Head and Sharma put SRH on the backfoot, and the middle order failed to recover, leading to a complete batting meltdown.
3. KKR’s Clinical Bowling
Every KKR bowler contributed, with Starc, Chakravarthy, and Andre Russell (1/22) ensuring no easy runs were on offer. The fielding was sharp, with no reprieves for SRH batters.
Key Takeaways
✔ KKR’s Batting Depth: With contributions from top to bottom, KKR’s lineup looks intimidating.
✔ SRH’s Over-reliance on Klaasen: Once he fell, the innings collapsed.
✔ Bowling Wins Matches: Despite a strong batting display, KKR’s bowlers sealed the deal.
What’s Next?
KKR will look to carry this momentum into their next game, while SRH must regroup quickly to stay in contention. With the IPL 2025 season heating up, every match is crucial.