IPL 2025: Who said what - What did Riyan Parag and Ajinkya Rahane say after KKR vs RR, Match 53?

Kolkata Knight Riders bagged a one-run thrilling win over the Rajasthan Royals in the 53rd match of the ongoing IPL 2025 season at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday, May 4.

Moving into the details of the game, Kolkata Knight Riders batted first after winning the toss. They posted a dominating total of 206/4 in 20 overs, thanks to Andre Russell's 57-run unbeaten knock off 25 balls with four fours and six sixes.

In the chase, Rajasthan Royals collapsed to 71/5 in 7.5 overs. However, captain Riyan Parag's 95-run knock off 45 balls with six fours and eight sixes changed the game's complexion. In the death overs, Shimron Hetmyer (29) and Shubham Dubey (25*) tried their best to take their side over the line, but lost the game by one run.

Let’s delve into the details on who said what after this nail-biting win for KKR over the Rajasthan Royals.

Rajasthan Royals captain, Riyan Parag:

“I was planning to stay till the last 2 overs, but unfortunately I got out in the 18th over. It was a miscalculation from my side. I think we could have found better options in the last 6 overs. Maybe other bowling options. 

No one to complain but ourselves, we should have finished it. We could have done something else in hindsight. He (Russell) was 2 off 10 balls and the way he accelerated after that, it was great to watch. It's a ground where sixes are hit. The wicket was a little tricky, so I had to pick my battles. 

I think I did it pretty well, until the time I got out. I have been saying that I feel like giving an interview (as the losing captain.) We weren't clinical on the field and the consequences are here.”

Player of the match, Andre Russell:

“We all know the importance of this game, we had four games to go and it was like four finals, happy with our performance and the win. I had time to go, so I was not worried about the dot balls that I faced. It was a difficult wicket to go out and start hitting, happy that I was able to hit boundaries at the end and Rinku also got a few away at the end. 

The scoreboard is the best indication, you have to evaluate the situations, which bowlers you can see off, which bowlers you can target. When I look at the scorecard and I see five overs, I see 30 balls and think if I can face 15 off those balls, I can get 40 runs with my power.”

KKR captain, Ajinkya Rahane:

“It was really close but really happy, when you win by one or two runs it gives you a lot of satisfaction. Gurbaz and Angkrish played well and that finish from Russell was really good. The plan was to go hard in the powerplay and then stabilise things till the 12th over. It was not easy for a new batter so me and Angkrish were talking about taking it deep.

(On the importance of fielding well) It's really important, if you can save 10-12 runs on the field it's great. If you can take a couple of good catches and effect a run-out, it makes all the difference.”

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