IPL 2025: Super De Kock dazzles as Kolkata Knight Riders thrash Rajasthan Royals | Cricket News

Quinton de Kock (Image credit score: BCCI/IPL)

NEW DELHI: Kolkata Knight Riders had a disappointing begin to their IPL 2025 marketing campaign towards Royal Challengers Bengaluru on March 22 at Eden Gardens, however they bounced again in type on Wednesday. The defending champions put up a commanding efficiency to register their first win of the season, securing two precious factors within the standings. The star of the night time was Quinton de Kock, whose stellar knock powered KKR to an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals. This win additionally marked KKR’s first triumph underneath Ajinkya Rahane’s captaincy.

De Kock’s brilliance ensured that KKR remained in management all through the chase. His mixture of unpolluted ball-striking and sharp recreation consciousness reaffirmed why he’s regarded as some of the harmful openers within the IPL. His innings was a textbook show of counter-attacking cricket—beginning with warning earlier than seamlessly shifting gears to dismantle the opposition’s bowling assault with beautiful timing and brute energy.

With this dominant win, KKR not solely acquired off the mark in IPL 2025 but in addition despatched a powerful assertion to their rivals. Under Rahane’s management, the group has gained momentum, with de Kock main the cost in spectacular trend.

Earlier within the match, Rahane received the toss and opted to area first, placing Rajasthan Royals on the again foot. Led by Riyan Parag, RR struggled to place up a aggressive complete as KKR’s disciplined bowling unit utilized relentless stress. Yashasvi Jaiswal (29 off 24) and Dhruv Jurel (33 off 28) had been the one notable contributors as the Royals managed to publish 151/9 of their 20 overs.

KKR’s bowlers had been medical, with Varun Chakaravarthy (2/17) and Moeen Ali (2/23) stifling RR’s center order, whereas Harshit Rana and Vaibhav Arora chipped in with essential wickets to maintain the entire inside attain.
Chasing 152, KKR confronted an early setback when opener Moeen Ali was run out for simply 5. However, de Kock stepped up with an authoritative show, dismantling the RR bowling assault with a wide ranging array of strokes. Despite dropping captain Rahane for 18, the South African wicketkeeper-batsman stored the chase on monitor with a flurry of boundaries and well-calculated huge hits.

De Kock’s explosive innings featured eight fours and 6 towering sixes, making mild work of the Rajasthan bowling assault. His heroics ensured KKR cruised to victory with loads of overs to spare.
Next up, KKR will tackle five-time champions Mumbai Indians on the Wankhede Stadium on Monday, trying to construct on their newfound momentum.