TATA IPL Live Cricket Score 2025 KKR vs RR 53th Match Reports

In a heart-stopping encounter at Eden Gardens, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) clinched a dramatic one-run victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the 53rd match of the TATA IPL 2025 on May 4, keeping their playoff hopes alive. The match, a rollercoaster of emotions, showcased explosive batting, tactical bowling, and a nail-biting finish that left fans on the edge of their seats.

KKR, batting first after winning the toss, posted a formidable 206/4 in 20 overs. Andre Russell was the star, smashing an unbeaten 57 off just 25 balls, including six towering sixes. His late onslaught, supported by Rinku Singh’s quickfire 19 off 6, propelled KKR to a daunting total. Angkrish Raghuvanshi (44), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (35), and captain Ajinkya Rahane (30) laid a solid foundation, ensuring KKR maintained momentum despite RR’s disciplined bowling. Jofra Archer, Yudhvir Singh, Maheesh Theekshana, and Riyan Parag each claimed a wicket, but RR struggled to contain Russell’s fireworks in the death overs.

Chasing 207, RR faced early setbacks, slipping to 71/5 by the 8th over. KKR’s spinners, Varun Chakaravarthy (2/32) and Moeen Ali (2/43), exploited the dry pitch, dismissing key batsmen Yashasvi Jaiswal (34), Dhruv Jurel, and Wanindu Hasaranga. However, stand-in captain Riyan Parag ignited RR’s fightback with a sensational 95 off 45 balls. His audacious assault, including five sixes in a single Moeen Ali over, revived RR’s hopes. Parag’s 92-run sixth-wicket partnership with Shimron Hetmyer (29) turned the game on its head, bringing the equation to 22 runs needed off the final over.

The climax was electrifying. Shubham Dubey, RR’s impact substitute, smashed two sixes and a four off Vaibhav Arora in the last over, narrowing the target to 3 runs off the final ball. However, Arora nailed a yorker, and Dubey’s desperate attempt for a second run ended in a run-out, with Rinku Singh’s sharp throw sealing KKR’s victory. Harshit Rana (2/41) and Arora (1/50) held their nerve, ensuring RR finished at 205/8.

Russell earned the Player of the Match award for his all-round heroics, emphasizing the match’s importance as one of KKR’s “four finals” in their playoff push. Parag, despite the heartbreak, reflected on his tactical miscalculations, admitting RR’s failure to capitalize in the middle overs cost them dearly. RR’s bowling coach Shane Bond praised the team’s fight, noting their intent to play for pride despite elimination from playoff contention.

This victory marked KKR’s first win against RR at Eden Gardens after three consecutive losses, boosting their campaign. For RR, the defeat was another close-run affair, underscoring their season’s recurring theme of faltering in crunch moments. As KKR march toward the playoffs, this thriller will be remembered as an IPL classic, defined by Parag’s brilliance and KKR’s resilience.