The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) now have 11 points from 11 matches in the IPL 2025 season. KKR pulled off a thrilling one-run victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR) in match number 53 of the ongoing Indian Premier League, held on Sunday, May 4, at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
Batting first after winning the toss, KKR posted a solid total of 206/4, powered by an unbeaten half-century from Andre Russell. Valuable contributions also came from Angkrish Raghuvanshi (44) and Ajinkya Rahane (30). In reply, RR skipper Riyan Parag nearly turned the game around with a blistering 95 off just 45 balls, including eight sixes.
The match came down to the final over, with RR needing 22 runs. Pacer Vaibhav Arora held his nerve under pressure to defend the total, sealing a memorable one-run win for the home side.
How Can KKR Qualify for the Playoffs in IPL 2025?
After their victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) now have 11 points and occupy the sixth spot in the points table. They have won five matches and lost five, with one game against Punjab Kings (PBKS) ending without a result. The defending champions are still in contention for a spot in the playoffs.
Under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane, KKR has three more matches to play in the tournament. If they win all three remaining games, they will finish with 17 points and secure a place in the playoffs. Thus, winning all their upcoming matches will guarantee their qualification. However, if KKR wins just two of their three remaining games, they will finish with 15 points, and their playoff qualification will depend on the results of other teams.
In the worst-case scenario, if KKR wins only one of their next three matches, they will end up with 13 points and will be eliminated from the playoff race.
Remaining matches are against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Their final league match will be against RCB on Saturday, May 17.