The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season is underway, and cricket enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the clash between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Match 6. Scheduled for March 26, 2025, at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, this encounter promises to be a thrilling contest as both teams aim to secure their first victory of the season.
Match Details
- Fixture: Rajasthan Royals vs. Kolkata Knight Riders
- Date: March 26, 2025
- Time: 7:30 PM IST
- Venue: Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati
- Broadcast and Streaming: The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network and streamed on Disney+ Hotstar.
Team Overviews
Rajasthan Royals (RR)
Rajasthan Royals, under the interim captaincy of Riyan Parag, are looking to bounce back after a heavy defeat in their opening match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Despite a valiant effort from Sanju Samson, who scored 66 runs off 37 balls, RR’s bowling attack struggled, conceding a massive total. The team will be keen to address these issues and put up a more balanced performance in their upcoming game.
Squad:
- Batsmen: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Shubham Dubey
- Wicketkeepers: Sanju Samson, Dhruv Jurel
- All-rounders: Wanindu Hasaranga
- Bowlers: Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Tushar Deshpande, Sandeep Sharma, Akash Madhwal
Key Players:
- Sanju Samson: A consistent performer, Samson’s aggressive batting style makes him a crucial asset at the top of the order.
- Riyan Parag: Leading the team in his home ground, Parag’s leadership and all-round capabilities will be under scrutiny.
- Wanindu Hasaranga: The Sri Lankan all-rounder is expected to bolster both the batting and bowling departments.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
Defending champions KKR, captained by Ajinkya Rahane, also faced a setback in their opening match, losing to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The team will be eager to regain momentum and showcase the form that led them to the title last season
Squad:
- Batsmen: Ajinkya Rahane (c), Venkatesh Iyer, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Rinku Singh, Manish Pandey
- Wicketkeepers: Quinton de Kock, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Luvnith Sisodia
- All-rounders: Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Moeen Ali, Ramandeep Singh, Anukul Roy
- Bowlers: Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit Rana, Spencer Johnson, Vaibhav Arora, Mayank Markande, Anrich Nortje, Chetan Sakariya
Key Players:
- Ajinkya Rahane: The experienced batsman brings stability to the top order and will be pivotal in anchoring the innings.
- Andre Russell: Known for his explosive batting and effective bowling, Russell is a game-changer in the T20 format.
- Sunil Narine: His mystery spin and ability to contribute with the bat make him a valuable asset.
Head-to-Head Record
Historically, the encounters between RR and KKR have been evenly contested. Out of 29 matches played:
- Rajasthan Royals: 14 wins
- Kolkata Knight Riders: 14 wins
- No Result: 1 match
🦁 Rajasthan Royals (RR)
The 2008 IPL champions have revamped their strategy with a focus on young Indian talent. With Riyan Parag leading the squad, and match-winners like Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal, the Royals are balancing youth and experience effectively.
✅ RR Probable Playing 11:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal – Left-hand opener, aggressive striker
- Sanju Samson (wk) – Reliable wicketkeeper and aggressive top-order bat
- Riyan Parag (c) – Captain and versatile batting all-rounder
- Shimron Hetmyer – Caribbean finisher with power
- Dhruv Jurel – Promising middle-order batter
- Shubham Dubey – Domestic talent, handy lower-order hitter
- Wanindu Hasaranga – All-rounder, world-class spinner
- Tushar Deshpande – Seam bowler with IPL experience
- Sandeep Sharma – Swing bowler and powerplay specialist
- Jofra Archer – Express pace and wicket-taking machine
- Maheesh Theekshana – Mystery spinner from Sri Lanka
🏹 Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
KKR, under the calm and composed leadership of Ajinkya Rahane, are looking to bounce back this season with an ideal mix of Indian consistency and international firepower. Big names like Andre Russell and Sunil Narine continue to anchor the core.
✅ KKR Probable Playing 11:
- Ajinkya Rahane (c) – Anchor, responsible start
- Quinton de Kock (wk) – Explosive left-hand opener
- Venkatesh Iyer – Aggressive all-rounder
- Rinku Singh – Finisher and power-hitter
- Angkrish Raghuvanshi – Young middle-order batter
- Andre Russell – Big-hitting all-rounder and death overs bowler
- Sunil Narine – Mystery spinner and handy with bat
- Varun Chakravarthy – Consistent spin option
- Anrich Nortje – Speedster, international experience
- Vaibhav Arora – Young pacer
- Harshit Rana – Domestic bowling option
🏟️ Stadium Pitch Report – Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati
The Barsapara Stadium is known for its flat and batting-friendly surface. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:
- Nature of pitch: Dry, flat, and favorable for batting
- Average first innings score: 190+
- Spinners’ role: Moderate assistance in the middle overs
- Pacers’ impact: Early swing and some bounce
- Dew factor: Expected; chasing becomes easier
- Toss Advantage: Win toss, bowl first
In 2023 and 2024, several 200+ scores were posted here. Power-hitters like Russell, Jaiswal, and Hetmyer will be licking their lips.
Barsapara Cricket Stadium Pitch Report
The Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati is known for its batting-friendly surface. Previous matches have witnessed high-scoring encounters, with teams posting totals in the range of 190-200 runs. The pitch offers good bounce and carry, making stroke play enjoyable for batsmen. However, as the game progresses, spinners might find some assistance. Given the conditions, teams winning the toss may prefer to chase, considering the potential for dew in the latter half of the match.
Weather Forecast
The weather in Guwahati on match day is expected to be clear, with no significant chances of rain. Temperatures are likely to hover around 27°C during the evening, providing pleasant conditions for both players and spectators. However, the onset of dew could play a role in the second innings, potentially influencing team strategies.
Match Prediction
Both teams are coming off losses and will be desperate to register their first win of the season. Rajasthan Royals will look to capitalize on their home advantage and the familiarity of conditions in Guwahati. Their batting lineup, featuring the likes of Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal, has the potential to post formidable totals. The inclusion of Wanindu Hasaranga could provide the much-needed balance in their bowling attack.
On the other hand, Kolkata Knight Riders boast a blend of experience and explosive talent. With players like Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, they have match-winners who can turn the game on its head. Their spin department, led by Narine and Varun Chakravarthy, could exploit any assistance the pitch offers as the game progresses.
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