Who is Kunal Singh Rathore? RR debutant who is replacing Nitish Rana

Rajasthan Royals (RR) have given Kunal Singh Rathore a chance to make his IPL debut in the game against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Rajasthan are already out of the tournament after their 100-run loss to Mumbai Indians in the last game. Former KKR captain Nitish Rana was ruled out of the game due to a niggle as per Riyan Parag. 

Kunal Singh Rathore, with us since 2023, has been quietly working behind the scenes, putting in the hours at training every single day.

Today, he makes his Pink debut. Halla Bol, homeboy! 💗 pic.twitter.com/bJYXDO8DKm

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) May 4, 2025

Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and chose to bat first on a wicket that looked a bit dry. KKR made two changes to their side as Moeen Ali and Ramandeep Singh made their return to the side. RR made three changes in total as Wanindu Hasaranga and Yudhvir Singh Charak came into the team for Kumar Kartikeya and Fazalhaq Farooqi. 

Debutant Kunal Singh Rathore is an attacking batter and also a very safe wicketkeeper. The 22-year-old is considered one of the best young emerging talents from Rajasthan. Kunal has played 12 T20 matches, scoring 254 runs with a best of 61 not out. The youngster has an impressive strike rate of 138 and an average of 36 with the bat. 

Chance for Kolkata to move one step closer to playoff spot 

Defending IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders currently have nine points from 10 games. If they lose on Sunday, their hopes of making it to the playoffs take a massive hit with just three games left to play after this. A win for Rahane and his men will take them to 11 points from 11 games and move them above Lucknow Super Giants. It is to be noted that slated to take on the Punjab Kings later in the day. 

If KKR win this and go on to win the rest of their remaining matches, well then, they can move to 17 points. A loss on Sunday and a win in the final three games of the season will see KKR finish on 15 points. In such a scenario, KKR has to depend on other results going their way. 

For the Rajasthan Royals, the task is clear, and that is just to play for pride. Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who scored a duck in the last game, will be in focus again. The left-handed batter, along with Yashasvi Jaiswal, will be keen to give RR a great start when they come out to bat later in the evening.