It has been a great news for India and all the football loves of the country as Argentina’s legendary footballer and the global icon, Lionel Messi, who is regarded to be the greatest football player in the history, is set to visit the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai for an event on December 14 as the reports of Times of India has reported.

The Wankhede Stadium has witnessed various historic moments for India in the past years, including the memorable victory of the Indian side during the 2011 ODI World Cup final against Sri Lanka, besides getting a program for the celebration of the 2007 and 2024 T20 World Cup wins. Messi’s visit will add another chapter to the colorful history of the ground.

See Also: [WATCH] Former India star dissects Karun Nair's fifty during ENG vs IND 5th Test at Kennington Oval

‘Yes, Messi is set to visit the Wankhede Stadium for an event on December 14. The organizers of the event (Wizcraft) have sought permission for the event, which will be ticketed. Their request was discussed by the Mumbai Cricket Association's Apex Council in a meeting recently, and the permission was granted.’ The MCA source was revealed as reported by TOI on August 01.

Lionel Messi to visit Kolkata, Mumbai, and Delhi in December 2025

It has also been reported that a few superstar cricketers are expected to attend the event. If the reports are to be believed, then the schedule will be between December 13 and 15, with veteran football star visiting Kolkata, Delhi, and Mumbai, for a series of celebrations of his career, along with various events of the sport.

It has also been known that Messi will be felicitated at the iconic Eden Gardens’ stadium in Kolkata in the presence of the West Bengal chief minister, Sri Mamata Banerjee. During his stay in the city, he will conduct a workshop on the game and launch a clinic, for which an event will be held, called ‘GOAT CUP’ in his honour at the Eden Gardens.

On Jun 06, Kerala’s sports minister, V Abdurahiman, confirmed that the Argentina football team under Messi will visit Kerala for a friendly match in October or November at the Greenfield International Stadium. The government will host the team as the state guests, besides giving its full support. The previous occasion of the footballer visiting India came in 2011 when he played a friendly game at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.

The fans are rallying outside the Eden Gardens as the BCCI looks to move the IPL 2025 playoffs and the final from Kolkata. The league was briefly shelved for a week but is now ready to come back on Saturday, May 17.

The final of the IPL 2025 was previously scheduled at the Eden Gardens on May 25. But with the new schedule arriving for the rest of the season, the venues for the final and playoffs are still to be finalized. The BCCI is said to be planning to shift the final away from Kolkata, which will now be held on June 3.

As per a report BCCI is mulling shifting the venue of the playoffs and final due to possibilities of disruptions on account of weather and logistics. Qualifier 2 and the final were to be held at the Eden Gardens originally.

Watch the video here:

A Protest erupted outside Eden Gardens by cricket fans demanding IPL play off matches. Watch this report by @anirbansinhr. #IPL #IPL2025 #Kolkata #ReporterDiary pic.twitter.com/gJmKRHbuxe

— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) May 16, 2025

Aslo read: Top 5 catches in IPL 2025

IPL 2025 to pick up where it left off with RCB vs KKR match

The season of IPL 2025 had been temporarily suspended and halted for a week. May 25 was the date that had been fixed for the final. But with the resumption, the event will now end on June 3. When the season resumes after the brief pause, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will face each other in the first match on Saturday, May 17. The match will be held at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

RCB have won eight of their 11 games and with 16 points, are second on the points table. A victory over Kolkata would guarantee them a place in the playoffs. For KKR, the champions from last season are in sixth position with five wins out of 12. Victories in both their remaining games would put KKR on 15 points, which is not a guarantee of a playoff spot; other results would have to be in their favor too.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is set to return after being suddenly suspended owing to the India-Pakistan war, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) putting plans in place to resume the tournament. The two countries have signed a ceasefire agreement, which has opened doors for cricket to resume, bringing relief to the fans and stakeholders. The BCCI is likely to announce the new schedule for the remaining games as early as possible so that the season can be brought to a close despite the previous interruption.

The IPL 2025 campaign was brought to a standstill when the Punjab Kings (PBKS) vs. Delhi Capitals (DC) game in Dharamsala was abandoned mid-match over security issues. Reports suggest that this match may not be rescheduled soon, as the BCCI is intent on restarting the tournament with the next matches. Teams have been told to come back into action quickly, with overseas players and support staff being called back to their bases to get ready for the restart.

It is reported that the tournament may resume on either May 16 or 17, 2025, with a battle between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. The LSG team is likely to reunite by May 13, and other franchises are also gearing up to get back to their home bases. The BCCI has been coordinating closely with all teams to make the transition back to competitive cricket from the sudden break smooth.

Finals Venue May Shift to Ahmedabad

The playoff format for IPL 2025 continues to be the same, with Hyderabad hosting Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator and Kolkata hosting Qualifier 2, as had been decided. These two cities were chosen for their capacity to accommodate high-pressure matches, and despite the initial suspension, the BCCI has opted to retain them.

🚨 IPL FINAL LIKELY AT NARENDRA MODI STADIUM 🚨

Rain forecast for May 30 in Kolkata may shift the final from Eden Gardens. Venue still under discussion. [Kushan Sarkar | PTI pic.twitter.com/q9iY5ZrTzx

— Cricket Winner (@cricketwinner_) May 11, 2025

Also Read: India's likely squad for the 2025 England Test Series Without Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli

However, the venue for the IPL 2025 final may get altered in the wake of Kolkata's weather apprehensions, where it is expected to rain on May 30, along with cloud cover. The BCCI may shift the final to Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, with a greater capacity of nearly 30,000 more compared to Kolkata's Eden Gardens. The championship match is now likely to take place on May 30 or June 1, subject to weather reports and logistics, giving fans a thrilling finish to the season.

Match 57 of the IPL 2025 sees Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) battling against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on May 7, 2025. With KKR still having a chance at the playoffs and CSK eliminated from the playoffs altogether, this match becomes vital for KKR in terms of trying to cement their spot, while CSK wants to try to spoil KKR's chances of making the playoffs and finish positively.

Eden Gardens Stats and Records

• Total Matches: 97
• Batting 1st Won: 40
• Batting 2nd Won: 56
• No Result: 1
• Highest Total: 262/2 by Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024
• Lowest Total: 49 all out by Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders in 2017
• Highest Run-chase: 262/2 in 18.4 overs by Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024
• Lowest Total Defended: 131 All Out by Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2017
• Average 1st Innings Score: 166
• Average 2nd Innings Score: 153

Also Read: IPL 2025: KKR vs CSK Match 57 - A Head to Head breakdown

KKR vs CSK: Weather and pitch report

The forecast in Kolkata on May 7, 2025, looks to be hot and steamy, with expected temperatures of 28–34°C and humidities of between 70–85%. But no rain is forecasted, so the match is set to be played uninterrupted. The Eden Gardens pitch has been very batting-friendly this season, providing an average first innings score of 203. Very flat and with short boundaries, it has led to high-scoring affairs. Pacers have struggled as the bowling team has conceded runs at 10.6 runs an over, while spinners have gone at 8.7. Dew should affect the second innings and make chasing teams easier, so winning toss captains will elect to bowl first. 

KKR vs CSK: Match Preview

On May 7, 2025, KKR will take on CSK in Match 57 of IPL 2025 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. KKR, who are still in the race for the playoffs, are in 6th place on the points table with 11 points from 11 games after their dramatic one-run victory over Rajasthan Royals. Following the earlier part of the season, where they struggled to chase down targets, KKR's batting lineup is now steadily leading them by rolling out good performances, especially in their last match. The new top-order of Ajinkya Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi offer KKR a good foundation before Narine starts fast, while Rinku Singh finishes well. Varun Chakravarthy is leading KKR's bowling attack, with Harshit Rana and Andre Russell being dependable in the middle overs. KKR will need to be consistent in the power play and have to make Russell bat well against spin - even if it means dropping him down the batting order.

Also Read: Top five best moments from India vs Pakistan matches

Specifically, CSK is in 9th place in the points table with only 2 wins from 11 matches. CSK's poor playing form this year has not defined their typical nature of what is usually seen in Super Kings matches. CSK does have some positives to take in regard to performances by Shivam Dube and Ravindra Jadeja, both contributors of runs this season. The spin trio of Noor Ahmad, Jadeja, and Ashwin has been one of the shining aspects of CSK's season so far. 

Match 57 of IPL 2025 features the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vs. the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on the 7th of May, starting at 7:30 PM IST. With CSK's official playoff elimination, this match is all about playing for pride for CSK, while KKR is looking to consolidate a playoff position. Eden Gardens is historically a batting-friendly venue with the potential for big scores, and dew could play a big role in favoring the chasing team.

Head-to-Head Record

KKR and CSK have met 31 times in the IPL since 2008, with CSK holding a clear lead:

• CSK Wins: 1
• KKR Wins: 11
• No Result: 1
• Win Percentage: CSK has a 61.29% win rate against KKR.

At Eden Gardens, KKR has won 5 of 9 encounters, giving them a slight home advantage.

Also Read: IPL 2025: KKR vs CSK Match 57 - Eden Gardens stats and preview

Notable Matches: KKR vs CSK 

IPL 2025, Match 11 April, Chennai 

• CSK: 103/9 (20 overs) 
• KKR: 107/2 (10.1 overs) 
• Result: KKR won by 8 wickets 

CSK finished at 103/9, their lowest IPL score at Chepauk, with Shivam Dube's 31* (29 balls) the best score. Sunil Narine (3/13) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/22) star for KKR, while Harshit Rana took 2/16. KKR were chasing in 10.1 overs, led by Narine's 44 (18 balls) and Rinku Singh's 14*. Narine was Player of the Match for his all-round display.

IPL 2021, Final October, Dubai 

• CSK: 192/3 (20 overs) 
• KKR: 165/9 (20 overs) 
• Result: CSK won by 27 runs

CSK scored 192/3, with Faf du Plessis scoring 86 off 59 balls and Ruturaj Gaikwad scoring 32. KKR started their chase, but it faltered. Eventually, Venkatesh Iyer scored 50 off 32, but the wickets fell consistently, with Shardul Thakur (3/38) and Ravindra Jadeja (2/37) winning the match for CSK. Faf du Plessis was awarded Player of the Match as CSK won their fourth IPL title.

Also Read: Top five best moments from India vs Pakistan matches

IPL 2012, Final May, Chennai

• KKR: 192/5 (19.4 overs)
• CSK: 190/3 (20 overs)
• Result: KKR won by 5 wickets

CSK finished their innings with 190/3, with Suresh Raina scoring 73 off 38 and MS Dhoni scoring 54 not out. In 19.4 overs, KKR chased the score, with Manvinder Bisla being the standout with 89 off 48 and Jacques Kallis scoring 69 from 49, showing CSK's batting had been dominated. Manvinder Bisla was Player of the Match, a marvelous performance in KKR's first IPL win.

In IPL 2025 Match 53, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) had a nail-biting victory by just 1 run against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in a thrilling tight finish, mastering a formidable total of 206/4. Despite a brave chase, RR fell just short at 205/8. KKR exhibited better batting composure, finishing well under pressure, and consistent clutch bowling helped hold RR just out of reach. 

Riyan Parag (95 off 45) bounded the chase for RR, putting in a valuable performance to suggest we could turn RR's target into a chase victory, but fell short at the end. During the 16th and 17th overs, RR had lacked puncture power and could not get the win-rate shot runs required of them. Parag, he himself admitted, had miscalculated the calculations in terms of finishing the chase, which cost his team; quickly going from high dot-balls to low runs per ball, RR had shot out of the blocks and got into trouble several times mid-chase, which remained their underlying issue today.

KKR’s have a near constant mix of scalp found here by bowling unit; especially Varun Chakaravarthy (2/32) and Harshit Rana (2/41) were consistently testing his limits at the death (overs). KKR earlier in their innings featured clutch Andre Russell, who was 57 not out from 25 balls, where he provided victory for the KKR team. Angkrish Raghuvanshi, 44, shielded his partners well for the last half of KKR's innings, which provided a small lead on the target for team KKR; how to steal defeat from the jaws of victory repeatedly still baffles, and to top it off with incredible field rich, RR could buy a win.

Also Read: IPL 2025, Match 53: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals Full Match Highlights

1. Miscalculated Finish Despite Strong Platform

RR was reeling from having to chase down 207, and with Riyan Parag’s impressive 95 off 45 balls, RR looked to be in a good position at one stage. However, they failed to accelerate in the 16th and 17th overs. Parag later admitted that he paced things poorly, as RR was not able to accelerate the innings and build the momentum needed to chase a target of 207 despite having eight wickets in hand. The end of the RR innings was very tense and brought RR to a finish at 205/8.  

2. Ineffective Powerplay Bowling

Over the first six overs, RR were unable to create pressure with their bowling. They were unable to apply pressure to KKR’s lineup, and KKR was able to build a solid foundation through the power play with Angkrish Raghuvanshi (44 off 31) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (35 off 25). KKR was immediately able to take control and build through the middle, so RR did not apply enough pressure to stop KKR from posting 206/4 --a total that RR had no chance to chase down.  

Also Read: Riyan Parag’s dream tweet turns into reality after blazing knock vs KKR in IPL 2025

3. Poor Death Over Execution

RR's death bowling fell flat, particularly against Andre Russell, who played with a strike rate of 228 on 57* off 25, with the next 19 balls scoring 55 runs. Russell started the innings 2 off 9 balls. RR allowed Russell to take control of the innings -- as RR's missed yorkers and poor fielding allowed KKR to post a score that RR could not chase down at 207.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) beat Rajasthan Royals (RR) in IPL 2025 Match 53 by just 1 run, posting 206/4 in 20 overs, and Rajasthan fell 1 run short, finishing their innings at 205/8. 

Kolkata Knight Riders innings

KKR started their innings with great aggression from Andre Russell, who hit 57 runs from only 25 balls. Russell's innings was full of monstrous sixes. Angkrish Raghuvanshi scored 44 runs from 31 balls to keep the innings steady at the top after KKR lost an early wicket. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was able to add 35 runs from 25 balls to add momentum for KKR on the chase. Riyan Parag smashed a final cameo of 12 runs off 3 balls, and Jofra Archer finished strongly with 30 runs from only 4 balls, leading KKR to a match-winning 206 runs from their 20 overs. RR's bowlers had success with Varun Chakravarthy (2/26) and Harshit Rana (2/41), each taking 2 wickets, but couldn't stem the run flow at the end.

Rajasthan Royals innings

RR started their innings in an aggressive manner, led by the incredible Riyan Parag, who hit 95 runs from 45 balls. Parag struck numerous boundaries and sixes, keeping RR in the hunt. Yashasvi Jaiswal contributed 34 runs from 21 balls for the first wicket, and Shimron Hetmyer scored 29 runs from 23 balls. Sanju Samson added a quick 15 runs from 10 balls with a couple of boundaries but got out to a smart catch. KKR's bowling attack responded once two quick wickets from Yudhvir Singh (1/26) and Jofra Archer (1/30) raised some intent. At the end, Varun Chakravarthy (2/32) and Harshit Rana (2/41) were able to strike again in the death overs to take both Hetmyer and Moeen Ali. Needing 2 runs off the last ball, RR failed to score. In a dramatic finish to the game, RR finished their innings at 205 runs for 8 wickets, falling just 1 run short of a victory.

Also Read: Top 3 reasons why Rajasthan Royals Lost to Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2025 Match 53

KKR vs RR: Post Match Reactions

Andre Russell (Player of the Match): Russell was happy with the critical victory, calling the remaining matches "four finals." He acknowledged the surface was hard but backed himself to hit the ball hard, saying that with 15 balls to face, he could get 40 easily. He praised Rinku Singh's late knock and said an awareness of the scoreboard helps him target the bowlers well.

Ajinkya Rahane (KKR Captain): Rahane was excited about the close win and stated the whole team needed these 1-2 run wins to build confidence. He congratulated the Russell-Angkrish partnership and also praised Russell for creating something from nothing due to a slow start. He said fielding was a controllable factor and added that small moments sometimes when fielding create big differences in the game.

Rinku Singh (KKR): Rinku said good fielding was important; he liked it more than batting. He said Russell had played a good innings, and his job was to immediately look for the big shots upon entering.

Riyan Parag (RR Captain): Parag blamed himself for the loss and said he should have batted till the end. He accepted he made bad decisions in the power play and bad bowling changes. He gave credit to the spinners and to Russell's innings but acknowledged RR had not been clinical enough.

Read Also: Riyan Parag’s dream tweet turns into reality after blazing knock vs KKR in IPL 2025

Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals: Match Scorecard

Kolkata Knight Riders – 206/4 (20 Overs)

Rajasthan Royals – 205/8 (20 Overs)

Cricket is not a sport it's a world obsession. And nothing embodies the size of that obsession quite like the enormous stadiums filled with supporters cheering every boundary, wicket, and six. From the subcontinent to Down Under, these cricket venues aren't large they're iconic.

1. Narendra Modi Stadium – Ahmedabad, India

• Capacity: 132,000
• Opened: 1982 (Refurbished in 2020)
• Operator: Gujarat Cricket Association

This is the king of all cricket grounds. In Ahmedabad, the Narendra Modi Stadium is the world's largest cricket stadium. It was fully refurbished in 2020, making it a contemporary cricketing fortress. It has played host to high-profile events such as the 2023 Cricket World Cup Final and has already become a global sports landmark.

2. Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) – Melbourne, Australia

• Capacity: 100,024
• Opened: 1853
• Operator: Melbourne Cricket Club

Typically abbreviated to just "The G," the Melbourne Cricket Ground is a stadium it's a world sporting icon. Since 1853, it has hosted some of cricket's most famous moments and much else besides, from Boxing Day Tests to World Cup finals and even the 1956 Summer Olympics. With a seating capacity of over 100,000, the MCG blends majesty with tradition, giving an electric atmosphere that's unequalled anywhere in the globe. To players and spectators alike, walking into the MCG is walking into history.

3. Eden Gardens – Kolkata, India

• Capacity: 68,000
• Opened: 1864
• Operator: Cricket Association of Bengal

Also called "cricket's Colosseum," Eden Gardens is a site where heroes are forged. Kapil Dev, Sachin, Saurav Ganguly and now Virat Kohli  some of the greats of Indian cricket have illuminated this stage. The fervour here gets palpably heated, particularly whenever India hosts Pakistan or an all-star IPL tie.

4. Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium – Raipur, India

• Capacity: 65,000
• Opened: 2008
• Operator: Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh

Located in the heart of Chhattisgarh's capital city, the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium is India's most promising new cricket ground. Although it was inaugurated in 2008, the stadium hosted its first international match in 2023, the first time Raipur featured on the international cricket map. With its sprawling layout and vast boundary lengths, the ground has soon found itself in demand for home T20s, IPL practice games, and other high-profile games.

5. Perth Stadium (Optus Stadium) – Perth, Australia

• Capacity: 61,266
• Opened: 2018
• Operator: VenuesLive

A contemporary wonder in Western Australia, Optus Stadium informally known as Perth Stadium has revolutionized the live cricket experience. Opened in 2018, it soon replaced the venerable WACA as Perth's top cricket ground.Renowned for its elastic, fast pitch and stunning sunset views, the stadium combines cutting-edge design with fan friendly amenities. Whether an international contest or a Big Bash contest, Optus Stadium is a dynamic experience and has become an instant hit with fans in Australia's cricket calendar.

ALSO SEE:IPL 2025: KKR vs RR – Player Battles to Watch out for in match number 53

6. Adelaide Oval – Adelaide, Australia

• Capacity: 53,583
• Opened: 1871
• Operator: Adelaide Oval SMA Ltd

Adorned by the beautiful parklands of Adelaide, the Adelaide Oval is a marriage of tradition and innovation. Originally opened in 1871, the old ground has maintained its old-world feel while embracing contemporary developments, such as hosting the world's first-ever day-night Test match in 2015.Hailed for its unobstructed views and intimate atmosphere, it's rated as one of the finest places on earth to enjoy cricket. In addition to its novel charm is the Oval Hotel, which is integrated directly into the stadium allowing supporters an opportunity to rise and shine up over the pitch.

7. Greenfield International Stadium – Thiruvananthapuram, India

• Capacity: 50,000
• Opened: 2015
• Operator: Kerala Cricket Association / KSFL

Against the green backdrop of Thiruvananthapuram, the Greenfield International Stadium has brought world class cricket to the very heart of Kerala. It opened in 2015 and was built under a special public-private partnership, one of the very few Indian stadiums that can host cricket and football matches. The stadium's up to date facilities, expansive seating, and picturesque setting have ensured it's a crowd pleaser, particularly for T20 Internationals, which are known to sell out in a hurry. Either under lights or basking in Kerala sunlight, Greenfield is an experience never to be forgotten.

8. Ekana Cricket Stadium – Lucknow, India

• Capacity: 50,000
• Opened: 2017
• Operator: Ekana Sportz City Pvt Ltd

One of India's latest international stadiums, the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow has established itself solidly on the world cricketing map. Officially the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, named after the former Prime Minister, who passed away, the stadium has top-class facilities and trendy design. Since its opening in 2017, it has played host to a series of international matches and Indian Premier League (IPL) matches. As one of the primary venues for the 2023 Men's Cricket World Cup, Ekana demonstrated its ability to accommodate high-pressure matches with ease and its reputation only continues to rise.

9. JSCA International Stadium – Ranchi, India

• Capacity: 50,000
• Opened: 2013
• Operator: Jharkhand State Cricket Association

Nestled in the capital of Jharkhand, the JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi is one of India’s newer cricketing venues, inaugurated in January 2013. It quickly made its mark by hosting its first One Day International (ODI) between India and England the same month. The stadium is the proud home of the Jharkhand cricket team and has also been associated with Chennai Super Kings, who played several home games here during earlier IPL seasons. With a seating capacity of 50,000, the stadium is known for its modern design, excellent sightlines, and electric atmosphere. To date, it has hosted seven IPL matches and continues to be a key venue for domestic and international cricket.

10. Brabourne Stadium – Mumbai, India

• Capacity: 50,000
• Opened: 1937
• Operator: Cricket Club of India

Historic and charming, Brabourne is where old-school cricket fans go to relive the golden era. It’s hosted everything from Ranji Trophy to T20Is and even served as the original home for the Mumbai Indians. Despite newer stadiums nearby, Brabourne holds a special place in Mumbai’s cricket heart.

The IPL 2025 Match 53 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on May 4, 2025, features Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), captained by Ajinkya Rahane, against Rajasthan Royals (RR), captained by Riyan Parag, starting at 3:30 PM IST. Playoff combinations are at stake in this battle, which should be full of drama on a wicket conducive to batting; KKR's spin-heavy attack will take on RR's explosive batting. 

Head-to-Head Record

KKR and RR have faced off 31 times in the IPL since 2008, with KKR holding a narrow lead:

• KKR Wins: 15
• RR Wins: 14
• No Result: 2
• Win Percentage: KKR has a 51.72% win rate against RR.

Both KKR and RR have faced each other 14 times, with KKR winning 8 times and RR winning 6 times. Against a left-handed batsman, like RR's Yashasvi Jaiswal, KKR's spin trio will be poised to exploit the wicket's turn (Varun Chakaravarthy, Sunil Narine, and Moeen Ali). However, RR's best batsman would arguably be the captain, Riyan Parag, who would take full advantage of the short boundaries. Moreover, RR's pace attack (Jofra Archer and Fazalhaq Farooqi) will have their work cut out for them if KKR's big hitters, particularly Russell and de Kock, can get going during the powerplay and death overs.

Also Read: IPL 2025: KKR vs RR Match 53 - Eden Gardens stadium stats and preview

Most Significant Matches Between KKR vs RR

The KKR-RR rivalry has produced several memorable encounters with standout performances and close finishes:

IPL 2025, Match 6 - March 26, Guwahati

• RR: 151/9 (20 overs) 
• KKR: 153/2 (17.3 overs) 
• Result: KKR won by 8 wickets

RR limped to 151/9. Dhruv Jurel with the top score of 33 out off 28. KKR bowlers Chris Woakes with 2/28 and Varun Chakravarthy with 2/17 were on top of their game. Quinton de Kock, with a brilliant knock of 97 runs off only 61 balls with 8 fours and 6 sixes, put KKR handily on track for victory, starting with Angkrish Raghuvanshi with a flamboyant 22*. RR's Jofra Archer 0/33 in only 2.3 overs was poor. De Kock's innings was worthy of winning the match with the Player of the Match award. 

IPL 2024, Match 31 - April 16, Kolkata 

• RR: 223/6 (20 overs) 
• KKR: 223/6 (20 overs) 
• Result: RR won by Super Over

Jos Buttler’s 107 and Riyan Parag’s 76 powered RR to 223/6. KKR matched it with Sunil Narine’s 109 and Rinku Singh’s quick 20 but lost in the Super Over. Narine took 3 wickets; Buttler was named Player of the Match.

Also Read: IPL 2025: PBKS vs LSG Match 54 - HPCA stadium stats and preview

IPL 2018, Match 49—May 15, Kolkata

• RR Total: 142/10 (19 overs)
  
• KKR Total: 145/4 (18 overs)
  
• Result: KKR won by 6 wickets
  

RR were dismissed for 142, Sanju Samson's 50 off 38 being the pick, as KKR's Kuldeep Yadav (4/20) and Andre Russell (2/22) excelled. KKR chased 143 without any trouble, with Chris Lynn's 45 off 42 and Dinesh Karthik's 41* off 31 as top scorers. RR's Ben Stokes (3/15) waged a battle, but KKR's depth paid off. Kuldeep Yadav's bowling heroics were rewarded with the Player of the Match award.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), captained by Ajinkya Rahane, and Rajasthan Royals (RR), led by Riyan Parag, will meet in IPL 2025 match 53 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on May 3, 2025, in what promises to be an exciting matchup. The match will start at 3:30 PM IST and will be of great importance and significance to the playoff aspirations of the KKR team.

Eden Gardens Stats and Records

• Total Matches: 97
• Batting 1st Won: 40
• Batting 2nd Won: 56
• No Result: 1
• Highest Total: 262/2 by Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024
• Lowest Total: 49 all out by Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders in 2017
• Highest Run-chase: 262/2 in 18.4 overs by Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024
• Lowest Total Defended: 131 All Out by Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2017
• Average 1st Innings Score: 166
• Average 2nd Innings Score: 153

Also Read: IPL 2025: KKR vs RR Match 53 - A Head to Head breakdown

KKR vs RR: Weather and pitch report

The weather on May 3, 2025, in Kolkata is expected to be warm, with temperatures between 26–30 °C (79–86 °F) and high humidity levels at 70–80%, so the fans and players may be pretty sweaty and uncomfortable! Rain looks unlikely in the evening, which will be great for an uninterrupted match. The pitch at Eden Gardens looks to be shortsighted in favor of batsmen, with a flat surface that lends itself to big totals, and as the game progresses, spinners will likely get some turn; if dew becomes a factor in the second innings for batting, the chasing team may have an upper hand!

KKR vs PBKS: Match Preview

Kolkata Knight Riders come into this match with a solid win over the Rajasthan Royals earlier this season with an eight-wicket victory in which Quinton de Kock ascended for 97 off 61 balls. KKR's batting lineup has relied quite a bit on de Kock, Narine, and Venkatesh Iyer, with some support from Rinku Singh and Andre Russell as an added bonus with the middle-order batting. KKR's bowlers, including Varun Chakaravathy and Harshit Rana, maintained the same disciplined approach, and I expect spin to be a factor at Eden Gardens that favors the likes of Narine and Chakaravarthy. The Royals, led by Riyan Parag, have been inconsistent, and their vulnerabilities in the middle order were exposed in the last match against KKR, which is a problem for batters like Jaiswal, Jurel, and Hetmyer. Hasaranga and Sandeep Sharma pose a threat with the spin, but the Royals' fast bowlers - Archer, Krishna, and Farooqi—have to improve the economy rate; therefore, I expect improvements. The wasted ingredient in using pace in the powerplay overs was costly, and if I knew liability on pace and continued with that, I could expect trouble for KKR on that element with the aggressive top-order batting. I think spin will have some impact, but pace will need to be operational.