IPL 2025: KKR Outclass SRH by 80 Runs - Venkatesh Iyer and Angkrish Raghuvanshi Star in Comprehensive Win
CRICKETNEWS
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) cruised to a dominant 80-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in their IPL 2025 encounter at Eden Gardens on Thursday, March 3. A brilliant all-round performance, led by fifties from Venkatesh Iyer and Angkrish Raghuvanshi, alongside a spectacular bowling display from Vaibhav Arora and Varun Chakravarthy, handed KKR a convincing win as they outplayed a hapless SRH side.
SRH's Struggle with the Bat
After winning the toss and opting to bowl, SRH captain Pat Cummins was optimistic, but his bowlers couldn’t stem the tide against a potent KKR batting lineup. The match saw early breakthroughs with Quinton de Kock getting dismissed off an impressive catch by the deep fielder off SRH skipper Pat Cummins. But it was Sunil Narine who seemed to give the first warning shot, hitting a few key shots before being dismissed off a regulation catch from Mohammed Shami behind the stumps.
As Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Ajinkya Rahane took charge, the duo showcased composure with some big hits and kept the scoreboard ticking. Rahane launched an aggressive counterattack, dispatching Pat Cummins and Shami for back-to-back sixes. This forced SRH to bring in Simarjeet Singh before the end of the powerplay, but Rahane was unfazed, responding with two more sixes.
Despite Zeeshan Ansari's spin and Harshal Patel’s variation in pace, Rahane and Raghuvanshi kept punishing the bowlers, reaching a solid 84 at the halfway stage of the innings. However, the breakthrough for SRH came when Rahane, looking to accelerate further, was dismissed by Zeeshan Ansari for a well-made 38 off 27 balls.
Immediately after Rahane’s departure, Raghuvanshi was given a lifeline when Nitish Kumar Reddy dropped a simple catch. The young opener capitalized on the opportunity, bringing up his fifty off just 30 balls, with five fours and two sixes. Unfortunately for Raghuvanshi, he was dismissed for 50 shortly after, as Harshal Patel took a stunning catch in the deep to send him packing. Kamindu Mendis, making his IPL debut, claimed his first wicket with the dismissal of Raghuvanshi.
Iyer and Rinku’s Power Surge
With two quick wickets, Venkatesh Iyer and Rinku Singh came to the crease, looking to propel KKR to a big total. The pair combined for a breathtaking display of power-hitting in the final overs. They put on a quick-fire 50-run stand in just 30 balls, with Iyer leading the charge.
Iyer’s assault was particularly impressive as he raced to his fifty in just 25 balls, smashing Cummins for three fours and a six in one over. But he wasn’t finished yet. He continued to dominate Harshal Patel, hammering him for a six and a four in the final over before being dismissed for 56, caught by Aniket Verma at long-on.
Despite the loss of Iyer, Rinku Singh carried on the attack and finished off the innings with a quickfire cameo, helping KKR reach a commanding total of 180/5 in their allotted 20 overs.
SRH’s Response - A Dismal Chase
Chasing 181 for victory, SRH’s batsmen were never in the contest. Early breakthroughs from Vaibhav Arora and Varun Chakravarthy left SRH in disarray. Arora’s pace and Chakravarthy’s spin rattled the SRH batting lineup, and they struggled to find any significant partnerships. Despite Heinrich Klaasen’s fighting 45, SRH never looked likely to chase down the target, finishing well short at 100/9 in their 20 overs.
KKR’s Bowling Dominance
KKR's bowlers were outstanding throughout the innings. Vaibhav Arora and Varun Chakravarthy led the charge, each picking up three wickets. Arora’s pace was too much for the SRH top-order, while Chakravarthy’s spin strangled the middle and lower order. The pair’s brilliant spell of bowling ensured SRH was never in the chase.
Conclusion
KKR’s 80-run victory showcased their all-round prowess, with key contributions from their batsmen, including Venkatesh Iyer and Angkrish Raghuvanshi, and a dominant bowling performance from Vaibhav Arora and Varun Chakravarthy. The win not only lifted KKR's spirits after a rough start to the season but also highlighted their ability to perform well in all departments.
For SRH, it was a night to forget, as they were outplayed in every aspect of the game. They will need to regroup and address their batting issues before their next encounter. Meanwhile, KKR will look to build on this performance as they continue their quest for consistency in IPL 2025.