04 Apr, 2025 | 09:39 AM
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) bounced back to form in style with an 80-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at Eden Gardens on Thursday, handing SRH their biggest defeat by runs in the history of the IPL.
After a recent slump in their batting form, KKR’s top-order, led by a blistering 60 off 29 balls from vice-captain Venkatesh Iyer and a steady 50 off 38 balls by Angkrish Raghuvanshi, posted a formidable total of 200/6. The partnership between Venkatesh and Raghuvanshi laid the foundation for a strong finish, with KKR accelerating in the final overs. Rinku Singh’s quickfire 32* from just 17 balls in the last five overs propelled KKR to a challenging total, which was helped by SRH’s sloppy fielding throughout the innings.
SRH’s chase, however, was derailed in the first 13 balls of their innings, as KKR’s pace attack led by Vaibhav Arora struck early. Arora made an immediate impact, dismissing Travis Head for a second consecutive failure against KKR, before Harshit Rana and Arora combined to reduce SRH to a perilous 9/3 inside the first three overs. Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan both fell cheaply, leaving SRH with little room for recovery.
Despite a valiant 33-run knock from Henrich Klaasen, SRH struggled to build partnerships as KKR’s bowlers continued to dominate. Arora picked up three wickets for 29 runs, while Varun Chakravarthy added to SRH’s woes with figures of 3/22, including a near-hat-trick. SRH never recovered from their early collapse and were bowled out for just 120, slumping to their third consecutive defeat after an explosive start to the tournament.
A Strong KKR Start
KKR were off to a shaky start themselves, losing both openers cheaply. Sunil Narine fell early to a yorker for just 7, while Quinton de Kock was dismissed for a solitary run off six balls. With the score at 17/2 after three overs, Rahane and Raghuvanshi provided some stability with a third-wicket partnership of 81 runs, including some explosive boundaries. Rahane’s aggressive 38, featuring three sixes, kept KKR in the game.
However, it was Venkatesh and Rinku's late surge that gave KKR’s innings the momentum it needed. Venkatesh’s fireworks in the final overs included a 25-ball fifty and an incredible 4, 6, 4, 4 burst off Cummins, while Rinku’s boundaries and towering sixes in the 17th over helped KKR finish on a high.
SRH’s Top Order Crumbles Under Pressure
Chasing 201, SRH's response was a nightmare. Arora's early strike on Head set the tone, and SRH’s top order collapsed under pressure, with Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan both falling cheaply. SRH's situation worsened as they slumped to 66/5 by the 12th over, thanks to tight bowling from Narine, Chakravarthy, and Russell. Klaasen attempted to counterattack but was removed by Arora, and SRH was left with no hope as wickets continued to fall at regular intervals.
Despite some late fireworks from Mendis and Klaasen, who hit a couple of sixes, SRH’s chase was never on track, and they were eventually bowled out for 120, marking their heaviest defeat in IPL history by runs.
Questions Over SRH’s Batting Approach
The defeat has raised serious questions about SRH's batting approach. After a blistering 286 in their opening match, they have failed to recover from successive collapses. KKR's disciplined bowling, coupled with SRH’s inability to handle the pressure, highlighted the stark contrast in the two teams' performances. SRH now find themselves at the bottom of the table, while KKR's dominant win has propelled them from last place to fifth.
With this comprehensive victory, KKR will look to continue their resurgence in the tournament, while SRH will need to quickly reassess their strategy and form if they are to turn their campaign around.
Brief Scorecard:
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): 200/6 in 20 overs (Venkatesh Iyer 60, Angkrish Raghuvanshi 50, Rinku Singh 32*; Zeeshan Ansari 2/25)
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH): 120 all out in 16.2 overs (Henrich Klaasen 33; Vaibhav Arora 3/29, Varun Chakravarthy 3/22)
Kolkata Knight Riders won by 80 runs.
