IPL 2025: Do or Die at Eden - KKR vs RR-Who Will Have the Last Laugh?

Image Source: Jagran Josh

With the IPL 2025 season reaching its final stages, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) prepare for a do-or-die home match against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at Eden Gardens on Sunday, May 4. With playoff hopes dangling by a thread, KKR need to shrug off their abysmal home record, while RR-already out of contention-seek to save face and ruin the defending champions' party.

KKR, seventh on the table, require a win to remain in the playoff hunt. With only a single home victory this season, the pressure is huge. On the other hand, RR, out of the reckoning after a series of defeats, have nothing to lose and may be tricky opponents for the Knights to face.

Key Points
KKR's Playoff Hopes on the Line
KKR are seventh with four victories from ten games; defeat would effectively put their playoff aspirations out of reach.

The side's immediate concern is consecutive home matches, beginning with RR, followed by CSK.

Captain Ajinkya Rahane stresses going "one game at a time," underlining the need for this encounter to be a do-or-die affair.

Rajasthan Royals: Pride and Spoilers
RR have already been eliminated after winning only three of their eleven games.

In spite of elimination, RR are encouraged to play spoiler and end their season on a positive note.

Their recent game was a comprehensive 100-run loss to Mumbai Indians, revealing both batting and bowling weaknesses.

Head-to-Head and Recent Form
KKR and RR share a closely fought rivalry: KKR are ahead 15-14 in 31 encounters, with two no-results.

KKR won the last match this season by 8 wickets.

At Eden Gardens, KKR have six wins and four defeats against RR.

Important Players and Team News
KKR: Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy continue to be pivotal with the ball. Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Ajinkya Rahane are essential with the bat.

RR: Yashasvi Jaiswal (439 runs) is their run machine, while Jofra Archer and Maheesh Theekshana have grabbed 10 wickets apiece this season.

Predicted lineups and influence players are Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Andre Russell for KKR; Riyan Parag (acting captain), Dhruv Jurel for RR.

Eden Gardens Pitch and Conditions
The ground suits the batters with short boundaries and a fast outfield.

Dew is not going to be an issue since it's a day match.

Broadcast and Match Timing
The game begins at 3:30 PM IST, live on Star Sports and JioHotstar streaming.

What's at Stake?
KKR need to win to keep themselves in the playoff hunt; a defeat may cut short their title defense.

RR, who have nothing to lose, might spoil KKR's run and finish their season on a positive note.
The Eden Gardens showdown is poised for high drama as KKR battle for survival and RR look to redeem themselves. With both sides having something to prove, look for a closely fought battle in Kolkata.

Sources: Economic Times, Cricket Addictor, NewsBytes, LatestLY, SocialNews.XYZ, Perplexity Sports