Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals | May 4 | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 3:30 PM IST
KKR vs RR – Can Kolkata Keep Playoff Hopes Alive?
We’re heading into match 53 of IPL 2025, and it’s crunch time for the Kolkata Knight Riders. They’re taking on the Rajasthan Royals at their home ground, Eden Gardens, and there’s a lot riding on this one—especially for KKR.
Sitting seventh on the points table with 4 wins from 9 games, Kolkata still has a real shot at making the playoffs. But they have to win this one. Rajasthan, on the flip side, are out of the race with just 3 wins from 11 matches, but that doesn’t mean they’ll go down easy. They’ll be looking to spoil the party for KKR and finish the season on a high.
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Head-to-Head: KKR vs RR
This rivalry has always been tight. Out of 31 games between these two sides:
- KKR has won 15
- RR has won 14
- 2 matches had no result
So yeah, expect another nail-biter.
Team News & Updates
KKR Team News:
- Andre Russell is back in rhythm, which is huge.
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz returns as wicketkeeper.
- Skipper Ajinkya Rahane brings much-needed experience to the top order.
RR Team News:
- Riyan Parag continues to lead the Royals.
- Jofra Archer is back in the mix and looking sharp.
- Dhruv Jurel has impressed behind the stumps.
KKR vs RR Probable Playing XIs
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR):
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Andre Russell, Rovman Powell, Harshit Rana, Anukul Roy, Varun Chakaravarthy
Rajasthan Royals (RR):
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag (c), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Kumar Kartikeya, Akash Madhwal, Fazalhaq Farooqi
KKR vs RR Dream11 Fantasy Tips
If you’re building your Dream11 team, here’s who you should seriously consider:
- Dhruv Jurel – Reliable with the gloves and a handy finisher.
Batters:
- Rinku Singh – Consistent middle-order performer.
- Venkatesh Iyer – Can explode at the top.
- Ajinkya Rahane – The calm head KKR needs.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal – Big-hitter, capable of anchoring too.
- Shimron Hetmyer – A known finisher.
All-Rounders:
- Sunil Narine – Dangerous with both bat and ball.
- Andre Russell – A fantasy beast on his day.
- Riyan Parag – RR’s most consistent player this season.
Bowlers:
- Varun Chakaravarthy – Mystery spinner on spin-friendly turf.
- Maheesh Theekshana – Always tough to pick.
- Harshit Rana – Can grab early breakthroughs.
My Dream11 Team Suggestion
Dhruv Jurel (WK)
Rinku Singh
Venkatesh Iyer
Ajinkya Rahane
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Sunil Narine
Riyan Parag (C)
Andre Russell (VC)
Varun Chakaravarthy
Maheesh Theekshana
Jofra Archer
Match Details
- Match: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals, Match 53
- Date: Saturday, May 4, 2025
- Time: 3:30 PM IST
- Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- Live Streaming: Star Sports & JioCinema
Final Thoughts
This match is huge for KKR. They’ve still got their eyes on the playoffs and have the home crowd backing them. For RR, it’s all about pride and spoiling someone else’s party. Either way, it’s going to be a cracker.
So, set those Dream11 teams, grab your popcorn, and get ready—because this one’s got drama written all over it.
