The highly anticipated IPL 2025 clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the iconic Eden Gardens on May 4 saw a major shake-up for the Royals as star batter Nitish Rana was ruled out of the match due to injury. In a game that marked Match 53 of the tournament, the absence of Rana came as a surprise to fans and analysts alike.
Nitish Rana’s Sudden Absence Explained
During the toss, RR captain Riyan Parag confirmed that Nitish Rana would miss the game owing to a “slight niggle”. Though the exact nature of the injury has not been disclosed, it appears to be precautionary in nature. Given that Rajasthan Royals have already been eliminated from playoff contention, the team management likely opted to avoid aggravating the issue, ensuring Rana’s long-term fitness.
“Nitish Rana has a niggle, so he goes out,” said Parag. “We are playing for pride now. We want to bring more energy and end the season on a high.”
Kunal Rathore Steps In
With Rana ruled out, youngster Kunal Singh Rathore was given a spot in the playing XI. The 22-year-old wicketkeeper-batter from Kota, Rajasthan, recently made headlines after debuting for RR and becoming the first IPL cricketer from his hometown. While still new to the IPL stage, Rathore’s consistent performances in domestic cricket have made him one of RR’s promising prospects.
Kunal’s inclusion not only fills the void left by Rana but also gives RR a chance to test their bench strength in what remains of the season.
RR’s Squad Rotation: Hasaranga and Yudhvir Return
The Royals made three changes for this game:
- Nitish Rana out – replaced by Kunal Rathore
- Kumar Kartikeya out – replaced by Wanindu Hasaranga
- Fazalhaq Farooqi out – replaced by Yudhvir Singh Charak
The return of Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga is a welcome boost to the bowling unit. Known for his variations and experience in T20 cricket, Hasaranga’s inclusion adds much-needed depth to RR’s spin department.
Yudhvir Singh Charak, a pace-bowling all-rounder from Jammu, also comes back into the side. His raw pace and aggression will be valuable on a pitch like Eden Gardens, known for supporting fast bowlers early on.
Match Context: RR Playing for Pride, KKR Eyeing Playoffs
Coming into this match, Rajasthan Royals have been mathematically eliminated from IPL 2025 playoffs contention. Despite flashes of brilliance during the season, the team failed to maintain consistency. The focus now is on ending the tournament on a positive note, building for the next season, and giving younger players exposure at the highest level.
On the other hand, Kolkata Knight Riders are still in the hunt for a playoff berth. Sitting at 7th place before this game, every point is crucial for the two-time champions. A win against RR could boost their chances and improve their Net Run Rate (NRR), which could be vital in the final stages of the league.
Toss Update and Line-ups
KKR won the toss and elected to bat first, hoping to set a competitive total on a traditionally batter-friendly Eden Gardens surface. RR, under Riyan Parag’s leadership, aimed to chase and test their mettle in a high-pressure scenario despite being out of the playoff race.
Rajasthan Royals Playing XI:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Vaibhav Suryavanshi
- Riyan Parag (captain)
- Kunal Singh Rathore
- Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper)
- Shimron Hetmyer
- Wanindu Hasaranga
- Jofra Archer
- Maheesh Theekshana
- Yudhvir Singh Charak
- Akash Madhwal
Kolkata Knight Riders Playing XI:
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper)
- Sunil Narine
- Ajinkya Rahane (captain)
- Angkrish Raghuvanshi
- Moeen Ali
- Venkatesh Iyer
- Rinku Singh
- Andre Russell
- Ramandeep Singh
- Varun Chakaravarthy
- Vaibhav Arora
Final Thoughts
While Nitish Rana’s absence is a blow for Rajasthan Royals, it opens the door for young talents like Kunal Rathore to make their mark. As the Royals focus on finishing strong and assessing their bench, fans will hope to see spirited performances and glimpses of the team’s future potential.
Meanwhile, KKR will be aiming to capitalize on RR’s weakened squad and stay alive in the intensely competitive playoff race of IPL 2025. The match promises to be a classic battle between pride and ambition at Eden Gardens.
