The IPL 2025 season is heating up, and in the sixth match, Rajasthan Royals (RR) take on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati. RR will look to recover from their high-scoring battle against Sunrisers Hyderabad, while KKR aims to bounce back after a disappointing season opener. With both teams eyeing their first win, expect an exciting contest.
This match carries additional significance as Riyan Parag, a local hero from Assam, will lead RR in his hometown. The Royals might consider bringing in Wanindu Hasaranga to strengthen their bowling, while KKR is likely to stick to their core XI despite a poor finish in their last game.
Let’s dive into the match preview, team analysis, pitch report, key players, fantasy cricket tips, and betting insights for this much-anticipated IPL 2025 clash.
Match Info: Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders – IPL 2025, Match 6
- Match: Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Match 6, IPL 2025
- Date: Wednesday, March 26, 2025
- Time: 7:30 PM IST
- Venue: Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati
- Live Streaming: JioCinema, Star Sports Network
Match Preview: RR vs KKR
The Rajasthan Royals started IPL 2025 with an explosive batting display but struggled with their bowling. Riyan Parag's leadership will be under the scanner as RR tries to find the right balance in their playing XI. While Sanju Samson, Dhruv Jurel, and Shimron Hetmyer provided batting power, their bowlers leaked runs, nearly conceding the highest-ever IPL total against SRH.
The Kolkata Knight Riders, led by Ajinkya Rahane, had a below-par outing in their first match. Their middle-order, featuring Venkatesh Iyer, Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, and Ramandeep Singh, failed to fire. Despite a strong bowling attack, they couldn’t stop Royal Challengers Bengaluru from chasing down their total. However, KKR is unlikely to make major changes to their XI.
With both teams eager for their first points of the season, this match could be a high-scoring thriller at the batting-friendly Guwahati pitch.
Head-to-Head Record: RR vs KKR
- Total Matches Played: 26
- RR Wins: 12
- KKR Wins: 14
- No Result: 0
- Highest Team Total: RR - 242/6 | KKR - 272/7
- Lowest Team Total: RR - 59/10 | KKR - 66/2
Recent Meetings
- Last 5 Matches: RR - 3 wins | KKR - 2 wins
- RR won their last encounter with a dominant performance.
- KKR’s last win against RR came in IPL 2023.
This tight head-to-head battle suggests that the upcoming match will be closely contested.
Team Previews
Rajasthan Royals (RR) Team Preview
Strengths:
✅ Explosive top order with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson
✅ Power-packed middle order including Shimron Hetmyer and Riyan Parag
✅ Variety in bowling attack with spin (Hasaranga, Theekshana) and pace (Archer, Boult)
Weaknesses:
❌ Lack of a solid sixth bowling option
❌ Bowling unit struggling with economy rates
❌ Riyan Parag’s inexperience as captain
Probable Playing XI:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Sanju Samson (wk)
- Riyan Parag (c)
- Nitish Rana
- Dhruv Jurel
- Shimron Hetmyer
- Shubham Dubey
- Jofra Archer
- Maheesh Theekshana / Wanindu Hasaranga
- Sandeep Sharma
- Fazalhaq Farooqi / Tushar Deshpande
Key Question: Should RR bring in Wanindu Hasaranga for additional all-round support?
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Team Preview
Strengths:
✅ A well-balanced squad with explosive all-rounders
✅ Experience in the middle order with Venkatesh Iyer, Russell, and Rinku Singh
✅ Solid pace attack featuring Spencer Johnson and Harshit Rana
Weaknesses:
❌ Overdependence on Andre Russell
❌ Inconsistent middle-order performance
❌ Lack of a settled bowling combination
Probable Playing XI:
- Quinton de Kock (wk)
- Sunil Narine
- Ajinkya Rahane (c)
- Venkatesh Iyer
- Angkrish Raghuvanshi
- Rinku Singh
- Andre Russell
- Ramandeep Singh
- Harshit Rana
- Spencer Johnson / Anrich Nortje
- Varun Chakravarthy
Key Question: Should KKR strengthen their pace attack by bringing in Anrich Nortje?
Pitch Report: Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati
- The pitch at Guwahati is a batting paradise, with an average first-innings score of 180+.
- Teams batting first have won twice and lost once in IPL history here.
- There is little assistance for spinners, but fast bowlers can use swing early on.
- Dew factor in the second innings could make bowling difficult.
Ideal First-Innings Score: 190+
Chasing Team Advantage: High
Key Players to Watch
Rajasthan Royals:
- Sanju Samson: RR’s most reliable batter, in top form.
- Dhruv Jurel: Played a match-winning knock in the last game.
- Jofra Archer: Needs to bounce back after a poor outing.
Kolkata Knight Riders:
- Andre Russell: Game-changer with both bat and ball.
- Quinton de Kock: Needs a big score to prove his selection.
- Varun Chakravarthy: KKR’s trump card in the middle overs.
Fantasy Cricket Tips for RR vs KKR
Fantasy Team 1 (Balanced Approach)
Wicketkeepers: Sanju Samson (C), Quinton de Kock
Batters: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag
All-rounders: Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Wanindu Hasaranga
Bowlers: Jofra Archer, Varun Chakravarthy, Sandeep Sharma
Fantasy Team 2 (High-Risk, High-Reward)
Wicketkeepers: Dhruv Jurel, Quinton de Kock
Batters: Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Shimron Hetmyer
All-rounders: Andre Russell (C), Sunil Narine, Riyan Parag (VC)
Bowlers: Spencer Johnson, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Tushar Deshpande
Captain Choices: Andre Russell, Sanju Samson
Vice-Captain Choices: Riyan Parag, Varun Chakravarthy
Betting Tips for RR vs KKR
- Best Bet: Rajasthan Royals to score 180+ runs in the first innings.
- Safe Bet: Andre Russell to hit 2+ sixes in the match.
- Risky Bet: Jofra Archer to take 3+ wickets.
- Toss Prediction: Team winning the toss will bowl first due to dew.
Match Prediction: Who Will Win?
- If RR bats first: They are likely to score 190+ and put pressure on KKR.
- If KKR chases: They have the firepower but need Russell & Rinku to fire.
Prediction: Rajasthan Royals hold a slight edge due to their strong top order. However, if KKR’s middle order steps up, they could steal the win.
Final Verdict: RR (55%) – KKR (45%)
Stay tuned for more IPL 2025 match previews on TheGamePlan!
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