New Delhi: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy breathed fire with the ball in his side’s clash against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 on Sunday, May 04. Chakaravarthy bowled a game-changing over during RR’s 207-run chase against KKR, dismissing Dhruv Jurel and Wanindu Hasaranga on ducks apiece.
In pursuit of the huge target, RR got off to a poor start as they lost young Vaibhav Suryavanshi cheaply on 4 before Kunal Singh Rathore was removed on a duck by Moeen Ali in the next over. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Riyan Parag then combined to get RR’s innings back on track with a 58-run partnership for the third wicket.
The partnership was broken by Moeen in the 7th over before Chakaravarthy sent two batters packing inside three deliveries in the next over. The mystery spinner cleaned up Jurel on a duck on the third ball of the over before castling Hasaranga’s stumps on the next delivery. It was a wrong ‘ un from Chakaravarthy that got the better of Jurel before weaving his magic with a googly to rattle Hasaranga.
Through the gate ✖ 2️⃣ |/
Varun Chakaravarthy is weaving his magic in Kolkata! 👏
Updates ▶ https://t.co/wg00ni9CQE#TATAIPL | #KKRvRR | @chakaravarthy29 | @KKRiders pic.twitter.com/vHcMTObTrL
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 4, 2025
Chakaravarthy’s twin-wicket over turned the momentum in KKR’s favour, however, skipper Parag stepped up under pressure to rescue RR’s sinking ship with a brilliant half-century. Parag combined with Shimron Hetmyer to steady the ship for RR with a much-needed partnership for the sixth wicket. However, it remains to be seen if Parag and Hetmyer will be able to get RR over the line in the 207-run chase.
KKR look to stay alive in the race for playoffs
Kolkata Knight Riders will be hoping to defend the total of 206 runs successfully to bag a crucial win against Rajasthan Royals, which will keep them alive in the race for the playoffs. KKR are currently in the seventh spot on the IPL 2025 points table with 9 points from ten matches. Their playoffs chances hang by a thread as they need at least three more victories in their remaining four matches to stay in contention.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) spinner Varun Chakaravarthy bowled a game-changing over in his side’s clash against Rajasthan Royals (RR), dismissing Dhruv Jurel and Wanindu Hasaranga inside three deliveries. IPL Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
