KKR’s V3 Trio Shines as Defending Champions Crush SRH by 80 Runs

Tags: Indian Prime Leauge 2025,
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, 15th Match at Kolkata, Apr 03, 2024,
Kolkata Knight Riders,
Sunrisers Hyderabad

Published on: Apr 04, 2025

Scorecard
| Commentary
| Graphs

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) continued their dominant run in IPL 2025, delivering a commanding 80-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Thursday. The match saw KKR’s dynamic trio—Venkatesh Iyer, Vaibhav Arora, and Varun Chakaravarthy—rise to the occasion, earning them the moniker “V3.”

Batting Brilliance Sets the Stage

Sent in to bat first, KKR openers got off to a steady start before Venkatesh Iyer took charge with a blistering knock of 60 off just 29 balls. His aggressive approach kept the scoreboard ticking and set the momentum for the middle order. Youngster Angkrish Raghuvanshi further bolstered the innings with a well-compiled 50 off 32 deliveries, showcasing maturity beyond his years.

Ajinkya Rahane (38) and Rinku Singh (32) played valuable cameos, ensuring KKR reached a formidable total of 200 for six. Despite SRH’s efforts, their bowlers struggled to contain the flow of runs, with their attack lacking penetration against KKR’s well-constructed innings.

Vaibhav Arora and Varun Chakaravarthy Dismantle SRH

Chasing a daunting target of 201, SRH never found their rhythm. Vaibhav Arora delivered an early breakthrough, rattling the top order with a fiery spell of 3/29. His ability to swing the ball and generate pace proved too much for SRH’s batters.

As the innings progressed, Heinrich Klaasen offered brief resistance with a quickfire 33 off 21 balls, but he lacked support from the other end. KKR’s bowling attack kept the pressure on, and the introduction of Varun Chakaravarthy sealed SRH’s fate. The mystery spinner bamboozled the lower order, finishing with impressive figures of 3/22.

Eventually, SRH crumbled to 120 all out in just 16.4 overs, handing KKR a comprehensive victory.

KKR’s Title Defense Gains Momentum

This dominant performance reaffirms KKR’s credentials as defending champions. With a balanced squad and in-form players, they continue to set the benchmark for excellence in IPL 2025. The “V3” trio—Venkatesh, Vaibhav, and Varun—have emerged as key match-winners, and if they maintain their form, KKR will be a force to reckon with in the tournament.

As the league progresses, other teams will have their work cut out to counter KKR’s all-round prowess. For now, the Knight Riders march on, sending a strong message to their competitors.