IPL 2025: Moeen and Varun choke RR’s batting rhythm, then De Kock puts on masterclass in KKR’s impressive win against RR

Parag in the 8th over, Jasiwal in the 9th, Hasaranga in the 10th, Rana in the 11th – four wickets in quick succession to the spinners resulted in the wheels coming off Rajasthan’s innings.

Archer suffers again

Tearaway quick Jofra Archer had a forgettable night against Sunrisers Hyderabad, conceding 76 runs in his four overs, the most expensive spell in IPL’s history. On Wednesday, Archer seemed to have put that horrible evening behind him. Taking first strike for KKR was his former England teammate Ali and Archer hit the mid-140s right away. Ali played and missed four times in the first over as Archer was on the money. But Quinton de Kock isn’t one to get bogged down by reputation or serious pace. He has the shots to inflict serious damage. De Kock pounced on the slightest error from Archer. The first ball of the third over was a wide one from Archer. De Kock cut it with ease for a four. Fifth ball of the over was not short but De Kock had enough time to go back and smash it for a six between long-on and deep mid-wicket. Thirteen runs conceded in his second over and Archer was out of the attack. Archer finished the night conceding at 13.20 runs per over.

De Kock’s masterful knock

On the slowish wicket, KKR needed someone to bat sensibly, more so when facing spinners in the middle overs. Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, two spinners with tricks up their sleeve, were the dangermen. But Parag, at best a part-time spinner, was the weak link. Captain Ajinkya Rahane didn’t get hold of a wrong ‘un from Hasaranga and skied the ball to be caught inside the circle. At 70 for 2 in the 11th over, KKR wasn’t in deep trouble but could not afford any silly shots. De Kock took charge.

Two sixes, the first one when facing Hasaranga over long on to bring up his fifty and another over mid wicket, Parag the bowler this time, pushed the spinners on the defensive. Soon he showed class to hit Hasaranga back along the ground for a four. There was one bad-looking shot from De Kock — a reverse scoop when facing Sandeep Sharma. The thick edge resulted in the ball landing at short fine leg. But for the rest of the innings, he was untroubled.

On nights like this, when almost every ball he hits comes off the middle of the bat, De Kock can be difficult to contain. With the asking rate within reach, De Kock was happy to push the ball around singles for a short phase. Then, when Archer was brought back on in the 18th over, with 17 runs needed, De Kock didn’t spare him. A four to mid on, a six to fine leg and another six down the ground. The QdK show was complete.