Venkatesh Iyer blasted a 25-ball half-century to lead defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders to a dominant 80-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday, in a rematch of last year’s Indian Premier League Final. The left-hander took control in the final five overs, hitting 60 off 29 balls.
Get your Indian Premier League Tickets now on eticketing.co! Secure your spot to witness the biggest T20 stars in action as top teams battle for the coveted trophy. Choose from a variety of seating options and enjoy a seamless booking experience. Don’t miss out on booking your IPL Final tickets today!
Kolkata reached a commanding 200-6 after Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to field at Eden Gardens. Hyderabad struggled to recover from losing three wickets within the first 13 balls and was eventually bowled out for just 120 in 16.4 overs, marking their third consecutive defeat.
Kolkata’s big win raised it from the lowest of the points table to No. 5 with four points. This game was significant for us and charming with a vital boundary, Kolkata captain Ajinkya Rahane said. Hyderabad’s batting capital struggled to get going for the third conventional game since buildup 286 runs in the season opener contrary to Rajasthan Royals.
Impact player Vaibhav Arora made an immediate impression, taking 3-29, as he dismissed Travis Head with his second ball. Ishan Kishan was then brilliantly caught by a diving Rahane at short extra cover. Arora could have had another wicket, but Andre Russell dropped a simple catch off IPL debutant Kamindu Mendis.
Before the Sri Lankan batter had opened his account. And to make things shoddier for Hyderabad, Abhishek Sharma’s fights sustained. When the left-hander shared a catch in the blunders off Harshit Rana’s slower delivery earlier Arora repaid.
Indian Premier League: Narine’s Milestone and Chakravarthy’s Strikes Sink Hyderabad
And detached top-scorer Heinrich Klaasen 33 to near out with vivid figures. Spinners Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy hugged the middle order with their faultless bowling in promising home circumstances as Hyderabad lost wickets in bunches.
Narine over a haul of 200 wickets for Kolkata in the IPL when Mendis holed out at mid-wicket after scoring 27. Chakravarthy then ran over the lower order with 3-22 and was starved of a hat-trick after demanding the wickets of Cummins and Simarjeet Singh off consecutive balls in his final over.
It wasn’t a great night, Cummins said. Less than two weeks ago, we scored 280. Our batters were at their best, taking the attack to the opposition, but we need to consider if we could have made different choices. Angkrish Raghuvanshi played a key role with a 50 off 32 balls at the start.
But Hyderabad had Kolkata at 122-4 afterward 15 overs, only to allow 78 runs in the final 30 balls. Kolkata got its left-handed inaugural pair of Quinton de Kock 1 and Narine 7 economically inside the first four overs.
Beforehand Rahane and Raghuvanshi put on 81 runs for the third-wicket stand and invigorated the innings. Though, both batters got discharged in the space of three overs earlier Iyer and Rinku Singh 32 not out counterattacked Hyderabad’s pace in the final five overs.
Iyer took his time beforehand unchecking seven boundaries and three sixes that comprised three fours and a six in the 19th over bowled by Cummins. Who over with 1-44. Singh spent just 16 balls and led the home team’s hastening.
Experience the thrill of IPL 2025 with eticketing.co! Grab your seats to witness world-class cricket, nail-biting finishes, and unforgettable moments live. Enjoy a smooth booking process with top ticket options. Secure your Indian Premier League Tickets today!
IPL Final: Spencer Johnson Joins KKR XI for Crucial IPL Clash
Iyer contributed a casual 91 runs for the fifth-wicket partnership off just 41 balls. Meanwhile, English all-rounder Moeen Ali has been dropped from the Kolkata Knight Riders KKR playing XI for their IPL 2025 match against Lucknow Super Giants LSG on April 8 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
Ali has been stressed with both bat and ball, having scored just 5 runs and taken 2 wickets crosswise in two matches for KKR so far. KKR made one alteration to their roster from the preceding game, with ace pacer Spencer Johnson substituting Ali in the team, who has been released.
The English all-rounder had not been able to donate efficiently with the bat or the ball, encouraging the defensive champions to opt for a change. Temporarily, LSG captain Rishabh Pant established that they have not made any variations to their playing XI.
We are going to bowl first. The wicket appearances are good, it’s not that hot. The wicket won’t alter much. One side boundary is small, that’s why we are bowling first. Everyone is looking forward to this game. This game is all about preliminary fresh, need to take the positives and take one step at a time.
People will talk about it, but we know Quinny and Sunil are match-winners. We’re not concerned about them. Spencer replaces Moeen, said LSG captain Rishabh Pant. Meanwhile, Rinku Singh, a middle-order batter and excellent outfielder, has become KKR’s most reliable finisher. He has gained prominence with his impressive power-hitting skills in the Indian Premier League IPL.
Experience the thrill of IPL 2025 live from the stadium! Secure your Kolkata Knight Riders Vs Punjab Kings Tickets on eticketing.co and be part of the electrifying atmosphere as cricket’s biggest stars compete for glory. Enjoy hassle-free booking, exclusive deals, and the best seats for your favorite matches. Don’t just watch and feel the action live! Book your IPL tickets now!
IPL Tickets: Rinku Singh’s Versatility Key to KKR’s IPL Success
Rinku’s aptitude to play spin and pace similarly well makes him multipurpose against LSG’s bowling. He has factually performed well in chase circumstances and has a proven best of finishing games. His knowledge of Eden Gardens gives him an edge. And LSG’s bowling mixture with left-arm options that he targets well puts him in a robust position to score deeply.
Kolkata Knight Riders’ dominant 80-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad highlighted their resilience and firepower. With key contributions from Venkatesh Iyer, who smashed a rapid half-century, and Rinku Singh. Who helped propel the team in the final overs.
On the other hand, continued their struggles with the bat, unable to recover from early setbacks. Kolkata’s comprehensive performance lifted them to fifth place in the standings. While Hyderabad’s third consecutive loss raised questions about their batting form.
As KKR prepares for their upcoming match against Lucknow Super Giants, they will look to build on this momentum. While LSG will seek to challenge Kolkata’s attacking style with a fresh approach. The match promises to be a crucial test for both teams as they aim to strengthen their positions in the tournament.
Looking ahead, Kolkata Knight Riders will be confident after this commanding win. Especially with the form of their top order and the middle-order firepower displayed by Iyer and Singh. The tactical change.
Bringing in Spencer Johnson in place of Moeen Ali signals their intent to strengthen the team for the upcoming fixtures. For Hyderabad, the focus will be on regrouping and addressing their batting woes, as they have failed to capitalize on their early promise.
Be part of the IPL 2025 excitement with eticketing.co! Secure your seats to witness world-class cricket, thrilling finishes, and unforgettable moments live in the stadium. Enjoy a seamless booking experience with the best ticket options available. Don’t miss out on booking your IPL tickets now!