March 27, 2025: Quinton de Kock’s scintillating unbeaten 97-run performance against Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 not only sealed Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) first victory of the season but also etched his name in the record books. His dazzling knock, off 61 balls, was the highest individual score for KKR in a run-chase, surpassing the previous record set by Manish Pandey in 2014.
KKR, chasing a target of 152, were in search of their first win in IPL 2025 after a tough start. Rajasthan Royals, after being restricted to a modest 151/9, had high hopes of defending the total. However, de Kock had other plans. With his aggressive stroke play, he completely dismantled the Royals’ bowling attack, showcasing his flawless timing and superb placement.
De Kock’s 97* was a clinical exhibition of power hitting and composure. He played a dominant role in the run chase, keeping KKR in control despite the early departure of Moeen Ali. His partnership with skipper Ajinkya Rahane and later with impact substitute Angkrish Raghuvanshi ensured that KKR never lost their way in the chase.
The game’s turning point came in the 18th over when Quinton de Kock, sensing the finish line approaching, launched a brutal assault on Jofra Archer. He began the over by smacking a boundary, followed by a massive six, and after a couple of wides, he finished the game in style with a glorious shot over long-on, sealing a comfortable win for KKR.
His innings also broke the 11-year-old record previously held by Manish Pandey, who had scored 94 in the IPL 2014 final. This innings also relegated Chris Lynn’s 93*, Manvinder Bisla’s 92, and Gautam Gambhir’s 90* to the history books, cementing de Kock’s place in KKR’s IPL legacy.
With this victory, KKR secured their first win of IPL 2025, chasing down 152 with ease. Quinton de Kock’s brilliance with the bat not only handed KKR a crucial win but also made history in the process.