Top player battles to watch out for in the RR vs KKR IPL 2025 match

Ajinkya Rahane’s tenure as the captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders hasn’t had an ideal start. KKR fell victim to RCB’s solid all-round performance in their opening game of the Indian Premier League 2025 on Saturday. Despite making a brilliant start in the first 10 overs, KKR succumbed to a seven-wicket defeat. Before the season began, much was said about KKR’s power-packed middle order. However, Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma got the better of them in the first game.

That being said, Kolkata Knight Riders wouldn’t be too concerned. Their strong start with the bat in the previous match should be seen as a big positive. Ajinkya Rahane and Co. will face Rajasthan Royals in their next game on Wednesday at the Baraspara Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad. The Royals were left speechless by SRH’s brutal onslaught in their first match of the season. Their bowlers had no answers whatsoever, conceding a mammoth total of 286 runs in 20 overs. It was certainly a day to forget for Rajasthan, and it will be interesting to see how they bounce back, especially with Sanju Samson available only as a batter and not as a captain.

As both Rajasthan and KKR seek their first win, we can expect a high-intensity contest. In this article, we take a look at three key battles to watch out for:

1. Wanindu Hasaranga vs Andre Russell

Rajasthan Royals opted for Fazalhaq Farooqi over Wanindu Hasaranga in their last game— a decision that, perhaps, backfired. After conceding 286 runs, Rajasthan will likely opt for a spin-heavy attack against KKR. Wanindu Hasaranga is expected to play his first game for Rajasthan on Wednesday. It’s no secret that Andre Russell struggles against leg-spin.

In the previous match, he was beaten in the flight and failed to read a googly from Suyash Sharma, leading to his dismissal. Hasaranga, with his array of variations, has the ability to trouble Russell and claim his prized wicket.

2. Vaibhav Arora vs Sanju Samson

Vaibhav Arora struggled with his line and length in the last game, conceding 42 runs while picking up a wicket in three overs. However, if he gets his rhythm right against the Royals, he could pose a serious challenge to Sanju Samson, who had a stellar outing with the bat against SRH. Samson often finds it difficult to handle quality swing bowling, and Vaibhav Arora has the ability to move the ball both ways. If conditions favor swing, this battle in the powerplay could be crucial.

3. Quinton de Kock vs Jofra Archer

Quinton de Kock is naturally aggressive, and despite falling cheaply in the last game, he will be eager to provide a fiery start with the bat. However, he faces a formidable challenge against Jofra Archer, who could trouble him with pace and bounce. In good bowling conditions, Quinton de Kock has often been troubled by fast bowlers. Archer will look to challenge him with pace and bounce. If he can find the right lines, Archer could make a brilliant comeback in Rajasthan’s next game against KKR.