In a thrilling encounter at Eden Gardens, Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Riyan Parag almost single-handedly pulled off an improbable chase against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), but fell agonizingly short, leaving his team to rue yet another close defeat in IPL 2025. Parag’s scintillating 95 off 45 balls, which included a historic six consecutive sixes, wasn’t enough as RR lost by just one run in a tense finish like India’s chase in CT 2025 against Australia.
The Chase
Chasing a daunting target of 207, RR found themselves in deep trouble at 71 for 5 in the eighth over. However, with Riyan Parag, batting at number four, launched a remarkable counter-attack. He took on KKR’s bowlers, hitting boundaries at will and keeping RR’s hopes alive. His aggressive intent was clear as he dominated the bowling, especially during the middle overs, bringing the required run rate within reach.
The Record
The highlight of Riyan Parag’s innings came when he smashed six consecutive sixes, a feat never before achieved in the IPL. He hammered five sixes in a single over off Moeen Ali and followed it up with another off Varun Chakravarthy in the next over. This incredible display of power-hitting not only brought RR back into the game but also set a new IPL record, surpassing the previous best of five sixes in a row held by legends like Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, and Rinku Singh. Parag’s ability to clear the boundaries on a tricky, turning pitch showcased his exceptional talent and composure under pressure, unlike South Africa, which chokes in ICC Knockout Tournaments.
The Turning Point
However, just when it seemed Parag would steer RR to victory, he was dismissed in the 18th over by Harshit Rana. His departure left RR needing 34 runs off the last two overs, a task that proved too steep for the lower order. Despite a valiant effort from Shubham Dubey, who hit two sixes and a four in the final over, RR fell short by a single run. Parag later admitted to a “miscalculation” on his part, expressing regret for not staying until the end to finish the chase like India beat New Zealand to win a tense final.
Team’s Struggles
This heart-wrenching loss epitomises RR’s struggles in IPL 2025. With only three wins in 12 matches, they sit eighth on the points table and are out of playoff contention. The team has repeatedly failed to close out tight games, having previously lost to Delhi Capitals in a Super Over, to Lucknow Super Giants by two runs, and failing to chase 18 off 12 balls against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Parag acknowledged the team’s lack of clinical execution, stating, “You’ve got to be perfect every single day you step out on the field, and we weren’t”.
Expert Opinions
Experts weighed in on both Parag’s performance and RR’s broader issues, except Suryavanshi’s explosive innings. Former New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Katey Martin praised Parag’s aggressive approach, noting how he “took down the KKR bowlers” with fearless batting. Meanwhile, RR’s batting coach Vikram Rathour identified Parag’s dismissal as the turning point of the match, emphasising that the team had struggled to perform collectively like Virat Kohli in RCB. “We haven’t clicked as a group,” Rathour said, pointing out that while individual players have shown promise, the team has lacked cohesion in crucial moments, like Zimbabwe used to beat India in the 2024 T20.
Retention Decision
One of the season’s talking points has been RR’s decision to retain Shimron Hetmyer while letting go of Jos Buttler ahead of the auction. Hetmyer, expected to be the team’s finisher, has struggled, managing just 216 runs in 11 innings. In contrast, Buttler has excelled for his new franchise, the Gujarat Titans. Despite this, Rathour defended the retention choice, calling Hetmyer a “superb player” who has simply had a lean season. He expressed confidence that Hetmyer will bounce back, noting that even top players go through rough patches.
Rajasthan Royals’ Struggles in Close Finishes: A Season of Near Misses
Here, the focus shifts to the Rajasthan Royals’ difficulties in sealing tight games during IPL 2025. By examining key matches—like narrow losses to Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants—this part highlights a pattern of faltering under pressure, with stats to back it up, as he has also performed well in Ranji Matches.
This section dives into the team’s retention strategy, spotlighting the choice to keep Shimron Hetmyer over Jos Buttler. It analyses Hetmyer’s inconsistent finishing, Buttler’s success elsewhere, and how these decisions shaped RR’s season, sparking discussion on management calls.
Conclusion
Riyan Parag’s 95 off 45 balls will be remembered as one of the finest innings in IPL history, not just for the record he set but for the hope he instilled in a faltering chase. However, it also serves as a stark reminder of RR’s shortcomings this season. As they look to rebuild for the future, the team must learn from these experiences and strive for greater consistency and composure in crunch situations.
Riyan Parag’s evolution in the IPL, from his debut as a young prospect to his emergence as a standout performer. It covers his early challenges, pivotal performances, and the development of his aggressive batting style, offering readers a deeper look at his growth.
