KKR TRIUMPHS AS QUINTON DE KOCK SCORES 98,

RAJASTAN LOSE TWO IN TWO.

March 27, 2025

Moeen Ali struggled in the chase, managing just five off 12 balls before a mix-up with Quinton de Kock saw him run out while attempting a risky double off Riyan Parag. Against Jofra Archer’s raw pace and bounce, Moeen had looked uncomfortable, his innings never really taking off.

On another day, such a knock could have been match-losing, but KKR had enough firepower elsewhere. Moeen had already made an impact with the ball earlier, and de Kock’s explosive hitting, combined with the evening dew, helped offset his failure.

De Kock had been in top gear from the start, dominating the powerplay with 34 off KKR’s 40 runs. He took on Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, and Parag, setting the tone for the chase. When Wanindu Hasaranga, brought in for Fazalhaq Farooqi, dismissed Ajinkya Rahane (18 off 15), Rajasthan Royals saw a glimmer of hope.

But de Kock and 20-year-old Angkrish Raghuvanshi quickly shut that down, adding an unbroken 83 off 44 balls. De Kock reached his half-century off 36 deliveries, smashing Hasaranga for six over wide long-on and following it up with another big hit off Parag. He might have had a century if RR had put up a bigger total.

Instead, their 151 for 9 was the lowest total of the season, a stark contrast to the high-scoring affairs elsewhere in the IPL.

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Neesham, Seifert Star as New Zealand Clinch 4-1 Series Win Over Pakistan

New Zealand wrapped up the series just as they had begun—by completely dismantling Pakistan. Tim Seifert led the charge with an explosive 97* off 38 balls, ensuring the hosts needed only ten overs to chase down Pakistan’s modest 128. Earlier, James Neesham's five-wicket haul had crippled Pakistan’s batting lineup.

Winning the toss, New Zealand dominated from the outset. Will O’Rourke and Jacob Duffy were sharp with the new ball, restricting runs and picking up early wickets. Pakistan lost three in the powerplay, including Hassan Nawaz, who endured a tough series apart from his lone century at Eden Park. When Neesham struck to reduce Pakistan to 52 for 5 at the halfway stage, the visitors were in disarray.

Captain Salman Agha and Shadab Khan attempted a recovery with a 54-run stand off 35 balls. While neither is a natural power hitter, they rotated the strike well and found timely boundaries. However, frustration crept in when Shadab, feeling denied a free hit, edged behind the very next ball. His departure triggered another collapse, with Neesham efficiently cleaning up the lower order. Pakistan managed only 22 runs in the last four overs, setting a target of 129.

New Zealand wasted no time in the chase, as Finn Allen and Seifert unleashed a boundary spree. Pakistan’s pacers had no answers, with five of the first six overs going for double-digit runs. The onslaught peaked in the final over of the powerplay, where Seifert hammered three sixes and a four off Jahandad Khan, pushing New Zealand to 92—their highest-ever powerplay total in T20Is.

Sufiyan Muqeem offered Pakistan a brief respite, dismissing Allen with a well-flighted delivery before trapping Mark Chapman with sharp turn and quick glovework from Mohammad Haris. His two overs yielded just six runs and two wickets, momentarily slowing New Zealand’s march.

However, any hopes of a fightback were dashed when Shadab returned for his final over. Seifert launched four sixes in six balls, including three in a row to finish the match in style. The 26-run over ended Pakistan’s suffering, wrapping up a one-sided contest in emphatic fashion.

New Zealand will take confidence from their squad depth, while Pakistan are left searching for answers after another humbling defeat.

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“Think I'm going to head to the Lotto store and buy one [lottery ticket] after this game."

Australian opener Georgia Voll is keen to try her luck after being dropped six times by New Zealand fielders in the third T20I in Wellington

Domestic cricket + T20 leagues

  • Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders

    RR 151/9 (20)

    KKR 153/2 (17.3)

    Kolkata Knight Riders won by 8 wkts

Wednesday History: India’s historic win

In March 2001, India pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in cricket history at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, against Steve Waugh’s invincible Australia.

Australia had arrived in India on a 16-match winning streak, and after thrashing India in Mumbai, they seemed destined to conquer the final frontier. When India was forced to follow on after conceding a 274-run first-innings lead, defeat seemed inevitable.

But then came VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid with a partnership for the ages. Laxman’s 281 and Dravid’s 180 defied Australia for an entire day, turning the match on its head. Harbhajan Singh, who had already taken a hat-trick in the first innings, spun magic again on the final day, taking 6/73 as India bowled Australia out for 212.

India won by 171 runs, breaking Australia’s streak and redefining Indian cricket’s fighting spirit. It was a victory that changed the team’s mindset forever and remains one of Test cricket’s most legendary moments.

On This Day

At just 15 years and 124 days old, Mushtaq Mohammad faced the ultimate challenge—bowling to the great Garry Sobers. Making his Test debut for Pakistan against the West Indies in Lahore on this day, Mushtaq became the youngest Test cricketer, a record that stood until Hasan Raza in 1996-97—though Raza’s official age remains disputed. Unsurprisingly for a teenager thrust into the highest level, Mushtaq had a quiet debut, scoring 14 and 4 while returning figures of 0 for 34. Meanwhile, Sobers hammered 72, and Rohan Kanhai's 217 powered the West Indies to an innings victory.

Coming tomorrow

Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants

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