In a high-stakes encounter at Eden Gardens, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) posted a solid total of 179/6 against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Match 57 of the Indian Premier League 2025 season. The Knight Riders, aiming to secure a place in the playoffs, put up a spirited batting display, led by Ajinkya Rahane and Andre Russell.
KKR’s innings was anchored by Rahane, who scored a steady 48 off 33 balls, mixing classic stroke play with calculated aggression. Russell once again played the role of the finisher with a blistering 38 off just 21 deliveries, launching a late assault on the CSK bowlers.
However, the spotlight in the first innings belonged to CSK’s young Afghan spinner Noor Ahmad, who impressed with figures of 4/31. His variations and accuracy kept KKR’s middle order in check and prevented them from posting a bigger total on a batting-friendly surface.
Earlier in the day, CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad won the toss and opted to field first, hoping to make use of the slightly damp Kolkata pitch. Despite the occasional dew, CSK’s bowlers kept things tight in the powerplay before the game opened up in the death overs.
As things stand, CSK needs 180 runs from 20 overs to claim a consolation win, having already been knocked out of playoff contention. For KKR, this is a must-win game, and their fate may also depend on net run rate in a tightly contested points table.
With fans packed into the iconic Eden Gardens and emotions running high, the second innings promises a thrilling contest as CSK attempts to chase down the target under lights.
