The IPL 2025 rollercoaster hit Guwahati on March 26, 2025, for Match 6, pitting Rajasthan Royals (RR) against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium. After both teams stumbled in their openers, this clash was a chance to reset—KKR grabbed it with both hands, steamrolling RR by 8 wickets in a one-sided affair. Here’s how it all went down.
Table of Contents
Toss and Team News
KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and opted to bowl, banking on the Barsapara pitch slowing down later. RR stuck with their core but swapped Shubham Dubey for Wanindu Hasaranga to bolster spin. KKR, hit by Sunil Narine’s illness, brought in Moeen Ali—a move that paid off big time. With the stage set, RR aimed to set a daunting total, but KKR had other plans.
RR’s Batting Woes: A Collapse in Guwahati
Batting first, RR got off to a decent start with Yashasvi Jaiswal (29) and Sanju Samson (18) putting up 67/1 in the powerplay. But the wheels came off fast. Varun Chakravarthy struck, dismissing Samson, and Moeen Ali followed, trapping Jaiswal. From there, it was a procession—Riyan Parag (25) and Dhruv Jurel (33) fought, but KKR’s spinners ran riot. Chakravarthy (2/17) and Moeen (2/23) shredded the middle order, while Vaibhav Arora (2/34) and Harshit Rana (2/31) mopped up the tail. RR limped to 151/9 in 20 overs, a total that felt 30 runs short on a decent batting track.
KKR’s Chase: De Kock’s Masterclass
Chasing 152, KKR needed a hero—and Quinton de Kock delivered. The South African wicketkeeper-batter smashed an unbeaten 97 off 61 balls, peppering the boundary with 8 fours and 6 sixes. Early hiccups saw Venkatesh Iyer (4) and Rahane (11) fall to Jofra Archer and Tushar Deshpande, but de Kock held firm. Partnered by Angkrish Raghuvanshi (22*), he turned the chase into a stroll, finishing at 152/2 in 17.3 overs. RR’s bowlers, including Archer and Hasaranga, had no answers as de Kock’s onslaught sealed KKR’s first win of IPL 2025.
Pitch and Conditions: Barsapara’s Spin Twist
The Barsapara pitch offered runs aplenty—RR scored 199/4 here in 2023—but this time, it slowed down, aiding KKR’s spinners. The average first-innings score in Guwahati IPL games is around 180, so RR’s 151 was underwhelming. Clear skies and no dew meant KKR’s chase wasn’t hampered, proving Rahane’s decision to bowl first spot-on. Teams batting first have won 2 of 4 IPL matches here, but RR couldn’t capitalize.
Key Performers
- Quinton de Kock (KKR): Player of the Match for his match-winning 97*—a statement knock after KKR’s opening loss.
- Varun Chakravarthy (KKR): His 2/17 turned the game, choking RR’s momentum.
- Dhruv Jurel (RR): Top-scored with 33, but it wasn’t enough to rescue RR’s innings.
What’s Next for RR and KKR?
For RR, it’s back-to-back losses—0-2 under Riyan Parag after a 44-run defeat to SRH. Their batting has sparks, but bowling and fielding need a reboot. KKR, meanwhile, bounce back from their 7-wicket loss to RCB, with de Kock and their spinners firing. This win could kickstart their title defense. Next up, RR face Gujarat Titans, while KKR take on Chennai Super Kings—both teams with plenty to prove.
Final Thoughts
RR vs KKR in Match 6 was KKR’s game from the moment their spinners clicked. De Kock’s brilliance made it look easy, leaving RR shell-shocked in Guwahati. What’s your take on this clash? Can RR recover, or is KKR’s title charge back on track? Drop your thoughts below!
