Kolkata pull off thrilling win to keep playoffs hopes alive

Riyan Parag's scintillating 95 went in vain as Rajasthan Royals suffered a one-run loss against Kolkata Knight Riders in a thrilling IPL 2025 encounter at Eden Gardens on Sunday.

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Chasing 207, Rajasthan endured a sloppy start with Vaibhav Suryavanshi (4) and debutant Kunal Singh Rathore (0) losing their wickets cheaply in the powerplay.

Yashasvi Jaiswal and captain Parag stitched a crucial partnership to provide some stability to the chase. The duo powered Rajasthan to 59/2 at the end of the powerplay. Moeen Ali broke the 62-run partnership in the seventh over to put the pressure back on Rajasthan. Jaiswal scored 34 runs including five fours and a six.

Varun Chakaravarthy exploited Rajasthan’s situation and dismissed Dhruv Jurel and Wanindu Hasaranga on ducks in the same over to reduce them to 71/5 in 7.5 overs. Rajasthan were in dire situation while chasing the daunting total against defending champions but Parag's sparkling innings kept Rajasthan alive in the match despite losing half of their side before the halfway mark.

Parag was supported by Shimron Hetmyer to take Rajasthan close to the target. Parag took a special liking towards Moeen as he hammered the spinner for five sixes in the 13th over to amass 32 from it.

He scored the sixth consecutive six when he hit Chakaravarthy for a maximum in the next over. Hetmyer too joined the party with a six off Sunil Narine in the 15th over to take RR to 155/5 after 15 overs.