In a pulsating encounter at Eden Gardens, Match 53 of the IPL 2025 season saw the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) edge past the Rajasthan Royals (RR) by a solitary run. Despite a scintillating 95-run innings by Rajasthan's skipper Riyan Parag, which included an extraordinary over of five consecutive sixes, the Royals fell agonizingly short in their chase of KKR's formidable total of 206. 

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, KKR's innings was built on stability and a late onslaught. After a quiet start, skipper Ajinkya Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi steadied the ship with a well-paced partnership, helping them cross the 100-mark. 

 

 

 

 

 

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What followed was vintage Andre Russell. The player was long due a statement innings, and showcased his ability with some clean hitting, remaining unbeaten on 57. Complimenting him, Rinku Singh added the perfect finishing touch with a quickfire 19 off six balls, taking KKR to a formidable total of 206 for 4. 

 

 

 

 

 

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In the chase, the Royals were rocked with two early wickets inside the second over. Just as Yashavi Jaiswal began to build from one end,  three more wickets fell in quick succession right after the powerplay, and RR found themselves reeling at 71-5 with a mountain of a chase ahead. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Riyan Parag and Shimron Hetmyer played cautiously, keeping the scoreboard ticking, but it was the 13th over that brought the Royals back into the game. Parag launched one of the most breathtaking assaults of the season, launching five consecutive sixes against Moeen Ali, and with some more runs on the board, what had seemed like a distant dream had turned into a real chance with the Royals clawing back to control, bringing down the equation to 43 from 24. 

 

 

 

 

 

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But the champions finished strong, and KKR played like defending champions, proving their mettle. Sunil Narine delivered a masterclass with his variations in the 17th over, conceding just five runs, but it was Harshit Rana who changed the game, bowling with precision and getting rid of the dangerous-looking Riyan Parag, leaving the Royals needing 33 of 12. 

Just when it looked like KKR had the game, Shubham Dubey scored 16 off three balls, leaving RR needing just three from the last ball, but the Royals could manage only a single. With this narrow victory, KKR kept their playoff aspirations alive. 

The full scorecard and match details can be found here.