Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured a heart-stopping one-run victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR) in their IPL 2025 clash on Sunday. In a high-voltage finish, RR needed 22 runs from the final over, and thanks to Shubham Dubey’s fireworks, they nearly pulled off an incredible chase.
Despite two sixes and a four in the over, Rajasthan fell agonizingly short when a clever fielding effort resulted in a last-ball run-out, handing KKR a vital win that keeps their playoff hopes alive. Unfortunately, Riyan Parag’s brilliant 95-run knock ended in disappointment as his side couldn’t cross the line.
How the Final Over Played Out
The tense final over began with Jofra Archer squeezing out 2 runs, saved from a boundary by Rinku Singh’s sharp fielding. The next ball was a pinpoint yorker from Vaibhav Arora, yielding just a single. Then, Shubham Dubey took centre stage, hammering a slower ball for a huge six over deep square leg. On the fourth ball, Dubey capitalized on a full delivery, dispatching it for four, aided by a fumble from Andre Russell.
The fifth delivery was turned into a full toss, and Dubey smashed it over long-off for another six, leaving RR needing just 3 runs from the last ball. Vaibhav kept his cool, bowled a perfect yorker, and Dubey failed to get it away cleanly. Rinku Singh, stationed at long-on, gathered and threw it swiftly to Arora, who completed a crucial run-out, sealing the match for KKR.
Riyan Parag in 2023: "My inner conscience says i’m hitting 4 sixes in an over at some point this IPL".
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 4, 2025
Riyan Parag in 2025: He smashed 5 sixes in a over 🔥 pic.twitter.com/90aRrZWWEJ
RIYAN PARAG HAS SMASHED 6 CONSECUTIVE SIXES IN A ROW. 🤯
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 4, 2025
– Brutal striking by Parag. pic.twitter.com/KRGLHFmWlz
Riyan Parag is a flop & fraudster in IPL 2025 according to hate compaigns and playing because of nepotism, lets have a look at stats:
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) May 4, 2025
Innings – 12,
Runs – 376,
Avg – 41,
Sr – 172
Hate for Riyan Parag is beyond my understanding man, he lost his contract💔pic.twitter.com/RG8hEi8Ui7
6,6,6,6,6
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) May 4, 2025
No matter how much hate people spread against Riyan Parag but he is one of the best if not the best middle order player available in India.
He should be groomed as an all rounder in both T20Is & ODIs. He is excellent❤️🔥pic.twitter.com/g7iLQl7Py5
Riyan parag "flop" season
— Gaurav (@Melbourne__82) May 4, 2025
377 Runs, 37 avg, 170 SR
Rohit's best IPL season in last 10 years
293 Runs, 32 avg, 155 SR pic.twitter.com/ERyfGtnL9z
Russell’s Blitz and Parag’s Fightback
Earlier, Andre Russell silenced critics with a blistering 57 off 25 balls, helping KKR rack up 206/4 after a slow start. The Knight Riders exploded for 85 runs in the last five overs, thanks to Russell’s destructive hitting. Rajasthan’s chase was derailed early, crumbling to 71/5 inside eight overs. However, stand-in captain Riyan Parag led a brave revival, scoring 95 off just 45 balls with 6 fours and 8 sixes.
His heroics brought RR back into contention, but KKR’s disciplined bowling and smart fielding ultimately denied him a well-deserved win. Ajinkya Rahane’s tactical captaincy, especially placing Rinku Singh at long-off for the final ball, proved pivotal in one of the season’s most dramatic finishes.
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