KKR spinners stifle Royals before Quinton de Kock gets the job done
KKR were without an unwell Sunil Narine but still dominated enough to not need Andre Russell with ball or bat
KKR were without an unwell Sunil Narine but still dominated enough to not need Andre Russell with ball or bat
Scorer: M Venkat Raghav | Commentator: Vishal Dikshit
11.25pm That's all we have tonight from this game in Guwahati where KKR have got their first points with a comprehensive win while RR have lots to ponder over over the next three days before facing CSK. KKR fly all the way wet to Mumbai from this north-east corner, to play MI on the 31st. Meanwhile, you can stay updated with all the news and latest stuff from IPL 2025 right here. For tomorrow the action moves to Hyderabad for SRH vs LSG: it's going to be SRH's mighty batting against LSG's depleted bowling attack. Until then, it's goodbye and good luck from me, Vishal Dikshit, and George Binoy. Ciao ciao!
Rahane: The first six overs we bowled really and they were one-two wickets down. The middle overs were really crucial, with two spinners and Sunil wasn't well. Moeen got his opportunity and bowled really well. You want your players to be fearless in this format, we have explosive batsmen. Credit to our bowling unit, they're always looking for wickets. Our chat with Moeen was to pick wickets and he did that. We gave Moeen complete freedom (while batting), unfortunately it didn't happen but he had a great day with the ball.
De Kock is the Player of the Match: Nice to get an opportunity and to make it count. To be fair, I've not felt any challenges yet (having retired from international cricket). Coming back into cricket we had 10 days of camp, practice matches so that made it pretty easy. This is only my secod game here, luckily we batted second so as a keeper I got to watch the wicket and I could adjust accordingly while batting. I know the IPL is known for big scores, but I just tried to win the game for us. (Any challenges in a new team?) Nothing, I love meeting new people and new environments, there were no real challenges. This team accepted me as I walked in, they're a great bunch of players. It was not the type of wicket for big scores, the ball was turning and stopping. It wasn't a flat wicket, it was a working man's wicket.
Riyan Parag: I think 170 was a reasonable score but we fell short by 20 runs. The plan was to get Quinny out early but he didn't so we shifted to containing them in the middle overs. Last year the team wanted me to bat at No. 4 and I did that, and this time it's No. 3, so I need to be professional about it and I'm ok with it. We take the learnings and try not to repeat and come out against CSK with a fresher mindset.
Moeen Ali: It was nice, I was practising all this time. I was told this morning Sunil (Narine) was't well and it's all about being ready. You try and spin the ball as hard as you can, some spun and some didn't. This is a really good bunch of guys, good coaching staff, amazing so far. Very, very balanced side, the overseas players are amazing, you're not guaranteed to play but you need to be ready for your chance. I've not faced such fast bowling (from Jofra Archer) probably since the Ashes and he was probably too quick for me, he had his tail up. I tried to use my experience today on this pitch, to keep it simple, try and spin it, and stay on top of your game.
10.57pm What a thumping this is from the defending champions and their handshakes and celebrations in the dugout say it all. Both teams were coming into this game after losses in their respective first games, and KKR have bounced back and how. First their spinners - even in the absence of an unwell Sunil Narine - put the shackles around them as soon as the powerplay ended, and RR never recovered from there. RR tried to keep KKR on a sort of a lash early on, but once de Kock was set and the ball became older, probably with dew around as well, there was nothing stopping him. RR looked quite out of depth today, whether in bowling plans or options, and their below-par total didn't help at all. What will hurt them is that this was their home game in Guwahati and guess who they play next there where the spinners had a great day - CSK. It's a big task ahead for RR and they have three days in between to regroup.
AJ: "RR need to rethink their batting order. Parag and Nitish need to swap places. Hetmyer needs to come in at 5-6 with Jurel, then Dubey and Hasaranga. Maybe open with Dubey and then go Samson, Parag, Rana"
KKR have come back with a bang after their middle-order slip against RCB in the opening game. Even with no Narine today who had smoked 44 off 26 that day, de Kock has roared back among the runs after a quiet IPL in 2024 and a not so great SA20 as well, recently. Moeen and Varun C were their star bowlers today on a pitch that was holding up, turning, and made things tough for the batters.
Sens: "97 not out. 97 not out everywhere."
Sundar: "This kid Raghuvanshi looks pretty steady "
Archer returns, he has two left, and goes around the wicket
Dhruv Jurel top scored for Rajasthan Royals with 33 off 28
In Narine's place, Moeen Ali got his first KKR cap; Jofra Archer kept his place for Royals despite the hammering he took on Sunday
On bowling alongside Varun: "I'm used to bowling with somebody who is better than me and has more mystery than me"
KKR were without an unwell Sunil Narine but still dominated enough to not need Andre Russell with ball or bat
Against KKR, they relied on six batters to set the target, promoted Hasaranga to No. 5 after two quick wickets, and pushed Hetmyer to No. 8