IPL 2025 Match 15 KKR vs SRH: Match Summary
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) delivered a resounding performance to register an 80-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Match 15 of IPL 2025 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
After an early batting setback, KKR staged a remarkable recovery, thanks to half-centuries from Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Venkatesh Iyer, posting a competitive 200/6. The bowlers then ran riot, dismissing SRH for just 120 runs, with Vaibhav Arora and Varun Chakaravarthy leading the charge with three wickets each. This win marked a crucial turnaround for KKR, who had faced setbacks in their previous matches.
A Game of Momentum Shifts
The highly anticipated match, a rematch of the IPL 2024 final, saw SRH captain Pat Cummins opting to field first against KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane.
KKR got off to a shaky start with Quinton de Kock and Sunil Narine falling cheaply to Cummins and Mohammad Shami, respectively. However, a solid 81-run partnership between Rahane and Raghuvanshi steadied the innings. Rahane played an aggressive knock before falling for 38 (27) to Zeeshan Ansari.
Raghuvanshi continued his fine form, notching up his second IPL half-century, before debutant Kamindu Mendis struck to remove him. At 106/4 in 12.4 overs, KKR still needed acceleration.
The middle order responded in style. Venkatesh Iyer and Rinku Singh launched a late assault, smashing 78 runs in the last five overs.
- Iyer’s explosive 60 off 29 balls continued his stellar record against SRH.
- Rinku Singh’s unbeaten 32 (17) ensured a strong finish, pushing KKR to 200/6.
Key Players of the Match
Angkrish Raghuvanshi
The young batter played a pivotal role in stabilizing KKR’s innings with a crucial 50 off 32 balls. His aggressive yet composed knock helped KKR recover from early setbacks and set a competitive total. Raghuvanshi’s performance has further cemented his place as one of KKR’s key emerging talents.
Venkatesh Iyer
Iyer once again proved his worth as a match-winner, delivering a quickfire 60 off 29 balls. His powerful hitting in the final overs gave KKR the momentum they needed to reach 200. Iyer has been instrumental in KKR’s strategy, particularly in their middle-order assault.
Vaibhav Arora
Arora made an instant impact, dismissing Travis Head for a golden duck—a repeat of his IPL 2024 final dismissal. He picked up 3 wickets, striking at crucial moments and dismantling SRH’s top order. His ability to swing the ball early on made a massive difference.
Varun Chakaravarthy
The mystery spinner played a crucial role in restricting SRH’s middle order, claiming 3 wickets, including the key scalp of in-form Aniket Verma. His variations kept the SRH batters in check throughout, proving once again why he remains KKR’s go-to bowler in crunch situations.
KKR’s Bowlers Decimate SRH
Defending a 201-run target, KKR’s bowlers came out with intent. Vaibhav Arora, the impact player, struck early, dismissing Travis Head for a golden duck. Harshit Rana and Arora dismantled the top order, sending Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan back early. With SRH reduced to 9/3 in 2.1 overs, they were always chasing the game.
Despite resistance from Nitish Kumar Reddy and Kamindu Mendis, the wickets kept tumbling:
- Sunil Narine dismissed Reddy to further dent SRH.
- Andre Russell sent back Mendis.
- Varun Chakaravarthy removed Aniket Verma, leaving SRH at 75/6.
A brief fightback from Heinrich Klaasen and Pat Cummins was cut short as Arora dismissed Klaasen and Chakaravarthy took out Cummins and Simarjeet Singh in quick succession. Russell wrapped up the innings, bowling out SRH for 120, handing KKR the biggest victory margin (by runs) of IPL 2025 so far.
Key Highlights:
- Vaibhav Arora’s three-wicket haul earned him Player of the Match honors.
- KKR climbed to fifth place in the IPL standings, while SRH slipped to the bottom.
- KKR’s three spinners—Narine, Chakaravarthy, and Moeen Ali—proved to be a game-changer.
- Rinku Singh’s composure and finishing ability continue to impress.
- KKR’s aggressive powerplay strategy paid off, putting SRH under immediate pressure.
Post-Match Reactions
“I always stay prepared to be the impact sub. From the sidelines, I assess pitch conditions, whether there’s swing or if cutters will be effective. Our planning in team meetings really helps in execution.”
– Vaibhav Arora (Player of the Match)
“This was an important game for us. Winning by a big margin boosts our confidence. The plan was to consolidate early and go big in the final overs. Rinku and Venkatesh executed it perfectly. We are learning from past mistakes and building towards a stronger performance in the league.”
– Ajinkya Rahane (KKR Captain)
“Not the result we wanted. Our fielding cost us, and we left too many runs on the field. Our batting lacked execution. We’ll analyze and come back stronger. We need to reassess our approach and make sure we’re executing better in the next few games.”
– Pat Cummins (SRH Captain)
Conclusion
KKR’s emphatic win showcased their all-round strength, while Sunrisers Hyderabad will need to reassess their approach after suffering three consecutive losses. With momentum on their side, KKR will look to build on this performance in their upcoming fixtures. Meanwhile, SRH must regroup quickly if they wish to stay competitive in IPL 2025. The tournament is heating up, and every match from here will be crucial in determining the playoff contenders.
