WATCH: Andre Russell slams Akash Madhwal for huge six enroute to his first fifty of IPL 2025 season

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) took on Rajasthan Royals in a must-win encounter in the IPL 2025 game at the Eden Gardens stadium. West Indian cricketer Andre Russell finally came to form with the bat as he scored his first half-century of the season. Russell, who had turned 37 years old during the KKR vs Delhi game, finally pulled out his best innings of the season. 

The Jamaican ended his innings unbeaten after scoring 57 off just 25 balls. This innings helped KKR score a massive 206 runs on the board for the loss of four wickets from their 20 overs. Kolkata have to win the game against Rajasthan if they are to keep their playoff hopes alive. Russell came into bat at the fall of KKR’s skipper Ajinkya Rahane for 30. 

After a sedate start, the West Indian star opened his shoulders with a boundary off Akash Madhwal in the third ball of the 16th over. On the very next ball, Russell slammed the pacer deep into the stands for a huge six and followed it up with yet another four. It was a huge boost for the KKR side and their fans to see their favourite star find his groove with the bat again. 

CRUNCHED!! 🔥🙌🏻#AndreRussell launches a massive six as he powers ahead with intent, looking to steer #KKR to a big total in this must-win #Race2Playoffs clash! 👊🏻

Watch the LIVE action ➡ https://t.co/jVhilCLfc6#IPLonJioStar 👉 #KKRvRR | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 2, Star… pic.twitter.com/Xn4ivcGTTZ

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) May 4, 2025

𝙍𝙪𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙖 𝙖𝙩 𝙀𝙙𝙚𝙣 𝙂𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙨 💪

Display of brute force from #KKR's very own Andre Russell 💥

Updates ▶ https://t.co/wg00ni9CQE#TATAIPL | #KKRvRR | @Russell12A pic.twitter.com/YfXiU3dF6h

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 4, 2025

Rajasthan Royals face uphill task against resurgent KKR

Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and chose to bat first in what is a key game for KKR. Yudhvir Singh Charak gave RR the early wicket when he dismissed Sunil Narine for 11 runs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ajinkya Rahane then added 56 runs for the second wicket in 33 balls before Gurbaz was out for 35. 

Skipper Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi then added 42 runs for the third wicket. Rahane was out against the run of play for 30 when he was caught by Dhruv Jurel off Riyan Parag in the 13th over. Raghuvanshi was out soon after for 44 as Russell and Rinku Singh then took the RR attack to the cleaners. 

Russell was not out on 57 with four boundaries and six maximums, while Rinku Singh scored 19 off six balls with one four and two sixes. None of the RR bowlers could put pressure on KKR batters, who posted a huge total on the board.