KKR vs RR Highlights, IPL 2025: Riyan Parag's 95 in vain as Kolkata Knight Riders beat Rajasthan Royals to keep playoff hopes alive

Right then, that is it from this nail-biting game where Kolkata Knight Riders stay alive in the playoffs race while Rajasthan Royals suffer another heartbreak. However, we have another game lined up for you between Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants that has already started. You can just switch tabs to catch all the action of that game. Cheers!

Andre Russell is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his fiery fifty. He says that they all knew how important this game was for them. Adds that these last four games are like four finals for them, and they need to put everything on the field, and he is very happy with the win. Mentions that he was not worried about the dot ball, and he backs his power and knows he can make up for them. Says that it was a difficult wicket, so he gave himself a few balls. Tells that he was happy to finish the innings on a high, and Rinku also played his part. Further adds that when you see 5 overs, you see 30 balls, and if he faces 15 of those, he can get around 40 runs. Ends by saying that his knock was crucial, and once he gets those opportunities, he can put on a show, and he lets the scoreboard do the talking.

The victorious skipper of Kolkata Knight Riders, Ajinkya Rahane, says it was a very close game, but is really happy to get the win. Says when you win by 2 or 3 runs, it gives a lot of confidence and satisfaction. Says that Gurbaz and Raghuvanshi played well and that the finish from Russell was too good. Highlights that the plan was to go hard in the Powerplay and then stabilise things till the 12th over. Adds it wasn't that easy for a new batter to come and hit big shots, so he and Raghuvanshi were talking to take it deep. On the fielding display, he says it's really important if you can save 10-12 runs on the field. Also says if you can take a couple of good catches and effect a run out, it makes all the difference.

Presentation Time...

Rinku Singh is up for a quick chat. He says that saving that boundary in the last over was very important. Adds that everyone knows that this is the quickest outfield in the country, but as an outfielder, he enjoys fielding here, sometimes even more than batting. Mentions that Andre Russell was hitting it really well, and he also got in at the right time ,and chipped in with a few lusty blows. Ends by saying that they are taking one game at a time and not trying to think too far ahead.

The captain of Rajasthan Royals, Riyan Parag, is up for a chat. He says that it was just sad and admits that he got out at the wrong time. Says he was planning to stay till the end. Also reflects that they couldn't get many runs in the 16th and the 17th overs, which he calls a miscalculation from his side. Adds that they could have found better options in the first six overs. Says the spinners did really well and admits that they could have just cut down some runs with the ball. Feels the game was in their hands, and they should have finished it. On the bowling strategies, he didn't want the bowlers to bowl back-to-back. Says Madhwal was only playing his second game, but then goes on to admit that they could have done something else. Appreciates Russell for the way he accelerated. Mentions that it is a ground where sixes are hit, so he knew he had his boundaries if he stayed. On the wicket, he says it was gripping a bit, and he had to pick his battles. Ends by admitting that they weren't clinical and hence, faced the consequences in the end.

Vaibhav Arora was entrusted with the final over, and though he nearly buckled under pressure while defending 21 runs, he held his nerve to see KKR through. A special mention must go to Rinku Singh, who saved two crucial boundaries in the last two overs and was instrumental in the match-winning run-out on the final ball, sealing a dramatic and hard-fought win for the hosts.

Kolkata Knight Riders will feel they should’ve wrapped up the game much earlier, especially after a brilliant start with the ball. Vaibhav Arora and Moeen Ali struck in the first two overs to set the tone, and then Varun Chakaravarthy delivered a game-changing over, picking up two vital wickets to leave Rajasthan reeling with half their side back in the pavilion. Just when KKR looked in complete control, Riyan Parag turned the tide with a brutal assault on Moeen Ali, swinging the momentum back towards the Royals. Sunil Narine, as always, kept things tight from his end, but it was Harshit Rana’s return spell that proved decisive, dismissing both set batters and swinging the game once again.

Earlier in the match, KKR put up a formidable total, powered by a blazing half-century from Andre Russell. The top order laid a solid foundation, and Rinku Singh added some late fireworks to give the innings a strong finish. Except for Wanindu Hasaranga and Akash Madhwal, the rest of the bowlers chipped in with a wicket apiece, but they ended up conceding a few too many runs in the death overs.

The game was still alive, though, as Jofra Archer and Shubham Dubey played a few powerful blows - especially Dubey, who dramatically brought the equation from 22 off the final over to just 3 needed off the last ball. But it wasn’t to be, as Archer was run out trying to sneak a second, falling agonisingly short and ending Rajasthan’s hopes in heartbreaking fashion.

Riyan Parag, alongside Shimron Hetmyer, navigated the tricky phase with composure, avoiding unnecessary risks. But the real shift came when the skipper took on Moeen Ali, launching him for five sixes in a single over and plundering 32 runs -  a moment that completely turned the tide. As long as Parag and Hetmyer were at the crease, the Royals looked well on course for a famous win. However, both fell at crucial moments, with Parag playing a scintillating knock of 95 off just 45 balls.

Rajasthan Royals endured the worst possible start, losing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi cheaply. But Yashasvi Jaiswal and Riyan Parag came together to build a steady partnership and bring some stability. Just when things were looking up, Jaiswal's dismissal triggered a dramatic collapse, with the Royals tumbling from 66/2 to 71/5, swinging the momentum firmly in Kolkata’s favour.

What a thrilling contest we've just witnessed at the iconic Eden Gardens! The Kolkata Knight Riders have clinched a nail-biting 1-run victory, but not without a serious scare from the Royals. It all came down to the final delivery, where Vaibhav Arora held his nerve and delivered a brilliant ball to seal the win. For Rajasthan, it’s another case of so close, yet so far - they'll feel this one slipped right through their fingers.

Vaibhav Arora to Shubham Dubey, OUT! RUN OUT! WHAT A DRAMATIC END TO THIS HEART-STOPPING CLASH IN KOLKATA! A precise yorker, on the stumps, from around the stumps, Shubham Dubey clears the front leg and carves it out to the mid off region. The batters charge for the first run and they turn back around for the second, but the fielder from long off is quick to run towards the ball. It is Rinku Singh who hares forward and collects the ball. The throw is released flat and perfectly towards the bowler. Vaibhav Arora collects the ball around his waist height and breaks the stumps, with Archer out by a country mile. KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS WIN BY 1 RUN!

Halt! A huge discussion is going in between the KKR players led by Ajinkya Rahane. This has been an extraordinary game so far, and the last ball will decide who takes this one. 3 needed in 1 ball with KKR's season on the line. Can Vaibhav Arora keep his calm, or can Shubham Dubey be the hero? Let's see.

Vaibhav Arora to Shubham Dubey, SIX!  WHAT A STRIKE! A full toss now from Vaibhav, on the stumps, Shubham Dubey stands deep in the crease, picks the ball perfectly, finds the middle of the bat, and sails it downtown over the long off fence for a cracking six. 3 NEEDED OFF 1 NOW! 

Vaibhav Arora to Shubham Dubey, FOUR! OH, SHUBHAM DUBEY! Searches for the yorker, does Vaibhav and misses, ending up offering a full ball, on middle and leg, Shubham Dubey swipes across the line and the ball goes off the inner half of the bat. Races away to the deep square leg fence, where it beats Andre Russell's slide to his right. Goes into the fence for a boundary. 9 NEEDED OFF 2 NOW! GAME ON!

Vaibhav Arora to Shubham Dubey, SIX! NOT OVER YET! Slower short delivery, around off, Shubham Dubey waits for it and gets the ball at a comfortable height. Shapes up to pull and deposits it behind deep square leg for a six. 13 needed off 3 now.

Vaibhav Arora to Jofra Archer, Too full and outside off. Archer opens the bat face and squeezes it to short third. They rush through for a single.

Vaibhav Arora to Jofra Archer, Oh, Rinku has been a live-wire in the field today! That was traveling at knots towards the boundary! Into the slot, on off, Jofra Archer spanks it to deep cover, and Rinku Singh covers good ground to his right. Times his slide perfectly and intercepts the ball. Just two runs taken. A serious, serious piece of fielding this from Rinku. Gets an applause from DJ Bravo in the dugout.

Who will bowl the last over? Ajinkya Rahane has given the responsibility to Vaibhav Arora. Can he defend 21 runs here? Or can RR pull off something special? Let's find out.

Andre Russell to Jofra Archer, Cannons another full toss at the stumps, Jofra Archer again inside edges it onto the pads, and the ball keeps rolling beside the stump. Archer calls for a single and Andre Russell rushes towards the ball, and tries to kick it back into the stumps at the striker's end but misses. Dubey, meanwhile, gets home. 22 needed for RR in the last over then.

Andre Russell to Jofra Archer, Spears in a full toss, on the pads, Jofra Archer swings hard but only manages to inside edge onto the pad. The ball rolls through the square leg region and the batters complete the second run.

Andre Russell to Jofra Archer, FOUR! CRACKED AWAY! Goes in search of a yorker, but serves a full ball, on off, Jofra Archer takes the full ball on and smashes it past cover for a boundary.

Andre Russell to Shubham Dubey, An attempted yorker, around off, Shubham Dubey shovels it out to deep cover for just one. Ramandeep almost overruns but makes quick amends to stop it one-handed.

Andre Russell to Shubham Dubey, Goes fuller and around off, Shubham Dubey carves it to the right of long off, but Rinku Singh charges towards the ball and makes a fine stop to his right. Saves a certain boundary. Just two taken.

Andre Russell to Jofra Archer, Fires in a low full toss, on middle and leg, Jofra Archer tries to whip it across, but inside edges onto the front pad and the ball rolls to the off side. A single taken.

Andre Russell finally gets the ball and will bowl the penultimate over.

Harshit Rana to Jofra Archer, Across off, guided down to deep third for a single. An excellent over from Harshit Rana. Came in clutch with the wicket of Parag, when his team needed it the most. Just 5 runs from this over and RR now need 33 off the last 2 overs.

Harshit Rana to Jofra Archer, Pace off, wide of off, full in length, Archer swings at it but misses.

Jofra Archer walks out to bat now.

Harshit Rana to Riyan Parag, OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! That is probably the match for KKR! Riyan Parag departs for a sensational 95 (45). Another slower ball from Rana, on a nagging length, around off, Riyan Parag is a bit early into the shot as he looks to take on the long on fielder. Hits it off the toe end of the bat and sails flat in the air, but straight into the hands of Vaibhav Arora at long on. He makes no mistake with the straightforward catch. 

Harshit Rana to Shubham Dubey, Length ball, slower one, angling into the off stump, Shubham is early to work it across the on side, but gets no bat and the ball grazes the thigh pad to roll to the left of the keeper. Parag calls for a leg bye and Dubey obeys it. All Gurbaz had to do was to aim at the sticks, but misses and they cross over.

Harshit Rana to Shubham Dubey, Good recovery from Rana! Gets away with the Free Hit! Bowls it slower and into the pitch, just around off, Shubham Dubey swivels to pull it with all his might, but only connects thin air.

Harshit Rana to Riyan Parag, Good bowling this! Pitched fuller, under the base of the bat, Riyan Parag clears the front leg to generate more power, and drills it down to long off for a single. Oh, dear! The siren echoes at the Gardens as Harshit Rana has overstepped. NO BALL called and Free Hit to follow...

Harshit Rana to Shubham Dubey, Around the stumps, at just 119.1 kph, full and on off, heaved across and aerially to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Sunil Narine to Shubham Dubey, Fired in fuller and on off, smashed down the ground, but for only a single.

Sunil Narine to Riyan Parag, Did that carry? A fine effort from Rinku whatsoever! Drifting into the batter, on a length, at middle and leg, Riyan Parag hangs back and looks to clear the deep mid-wicket region with the pull shot. Goes through the shot, but hits it flat and not far enough. The ball dips ahead of Rinku Singh at deep mid-wicket, who moves to his right and tries to scoop the ball off the grass, but it just lands short. A single taken.

Sunil Narine to Shubham Dubey, Landed on middle, Shubham Dubey works it across to the square leg region for a single.

Sunil Narine to Shubham Dubey, Darted on a length, an off break, around off, turning away. Shubham Dubey has no clue to deal with it and is beaten on the outside edge.

Sunil Narine to Riyan Parag, Length ball on off. Parag whips it to deep midwicket for a run. 

Sunil Narine to Shubham Dubey, Pitched outside leg, on a length, nudged across to short fine leg for a single.

Change? No, Sunil Narine to bowl out here.

Harshit Rana to Shubham Dubey, A slower one, at 116.1 kph, a yard behind fuller length and around off, Shubham Dubey prods ahead and taps the ball through cover for a single.

Shubham Dubey comes out to the middle. He is the Impact Sub for Rajasthan Royals replacing Akash Madhwal.

Harshit Rana to Shimron Hetmyer, OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! A wicket at a godsent time for KKR. Harshit Rana with that breakthrough as he ends this 92-run stand. He bowls a surprise bumper, on the head height of the batter. It lands and gets big on Hetmyer, who tries to play the pull shot aerially. Instead, the ball passes close to the bat and deflects in the air, off his helmet. It sails back towards the short third region where Sunil Narine takes a safe catch. However, it has been instantly reviewed by Shimron Hetmyer! He believes that the ball has not hit the bat and has been directly lobbed off the helmet. UltraEdge comes up now and shows a clear spike when the ball passes close to the bat. Shimron Hetmyer will have to walk back and Rajasthan Royals are 163/6 now, needing 44 off 25 balls

Harshit Rana to Riyan Parag, A low full toss, curving into the off pole, Riyan Parag whips it to deep mid-wicket for just another single. 

Harshit Rana to Shimron Hetmyer, Back of a length, around off, punched off the back foot to deep cover for a single.

Harshit Rana to Shimron Hetmyer, WIDE! Down the leg side, on a length. Hettie gets inside the line to pull and misses. Wide called. Harshit Rana is not too happy with the wide call.

Harshit Rana to Riyan Parag, An attempted yorker, on off, Riyan Parag drills it down to long on for a single.