Kolkata (West Bengal) [India]: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Ajinkya Rahane etched his name in the record books on Sunday as he became the ninth-highest run-scorer in Indian Premier League (IPL) history, surpassing the legendary Chris Gayle during Match 53 of the IPL 2025 season.
Rahane contributed 30 runs off 24 balls, including two sixes and a four, helping his side get off to a steady start. With this knock, he overtook Gayle’s career tally, marking a significant personal milestone.
So far, Rahane has amassed 4,969 runs in 181 IPL innings at an average of 30.48 and a strike rate of 124.72, including 33 half-centuries and two centuries. His highest IPL score remains *105.
Chris Gayle, who retired from the IPL in 2021, scored 4,965 runs in 141 innings at a strike rate of 148.96 and an average of 39.72, with six centuries and 31 fifties.
Match Summary:
KKR won the toss and chose to bat first. After the early dismissal of Sunil Narine, Rahane and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (35 off 25 balls) stitched together a stabilizing partnership. The innings gained momentum through a 61-run fourth-wicket stand between Angkrish Raghuvanshi (44 off 31 balls) and Andre Russell, who remained unbeaten with a blistering 57 off just 25 balls, featuring four boundaries and six sixes. Rinku Singh added a fiery finish with 19* off six balls, helping KKR post a formidable 206/4.
For Rajasthan Royals (RR), wickets were shared among Jofra Archer, Yudhvir Singh, Riyan Parag, and Maheesh Theekshana.
In response, RR stumbled to 71/5 but were revived by an incredible 92-run partnership between captain Riyan Parag, who narrowly missed a century with 95 off 45 balls, and Shimron Hetmyer (29 off 23). Late fireworks from Shubham Dubey (25* off 14) and Jofra Archer (12 off 8) brought RR agonizingly close, but they fell just one run short, ending their chase at 205/8.
KKR’s bowling unit held their nerve, with Varun Chakravarthy (2/32), Harshit Rana (2/41), and Moeen Ali (2/43) emerging as the key wicket-takers.
This thrilling win keeps KKR’s playoff hopes alive, while Ajinkya Rahane’s milestone adds a historic touch to the evening at Eden Gardens.