Ambati Rayudu Praises Angkrish Raghuvanshi’s Match-Winning Knock vs GT
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KKR Keep Playoff Hopes Alive with Dominant Win
Former IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders kept their playoff hopes alive with a commanding 29-run victory over Gujarat Titans at Eden Gardens. Asked to bat first by the visiting side, Ajinkya Rahane’s men posted a massive 247 for the loss of just two wickets in their 20 overs in IPL 2026.
Raghuvanshi Shines with Unbeaten 82
Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who has been KKR’s most consistent batter this year, ended the night with 82 not out from just 44 balls. His innings included four boundaries and seven towering sixes, showcasing his ability to anchor an innings while accelerating at will. The 21-year-old’s performance earned huge plaudits from former India batter Ambati Rayudu.
Rayudu: ‘His Graph is Rising’
Speaking on ESPN Cricinfo’s time-out show, Rayudu said, “His (Raghuvanshi) batting is getting better. He has become more confident and is turning into a batter who can play across each phase of the game. This is a very unique skill, and the way he hits sixes has also improved. So far, Angkrish has just hit sixes against full-balls, but soon he will develop skills to hit other lengths too.”
The former MI and CSK star added, “The player is seeing his graph grow and looks like a cricketer who can be a match-winner in a few years down the line. Young batter has got lots of potential and time and doesn’t look hurried against the pacers, which is a very good sign.”
Kolkata’s New Batting Sensation
Raghuvanshi, originally from Delhi, plays his domestic cricket for Mumbai and has been touted as the next big thing in Indian cricket. This season, the young batter has scored 422 runs from 12 matches, with five half-centuries to his name. He boasts an impressive average of 42 and a strike-rate of 146, while also contributing behind the stumps with four catches and a stumping.
How Can KKR Qualify for the Playoffs?
The win on Saturday has given Rahane’s men a chance to keep their playoff hopes alive. The 2024 IPL champions are currently seventh in the points table with 11 points and still have two games left in the league stage. Their final two fixtures are both at home: against the Mumbai Indians and the Delhi Capitals.
To qualify, KKR will need to win both remaining games to reach 15 points. However, that alone will not be enough. They will also need Punjab to lose both their remaining matches, while Rajasthan and Chennai must not win more than one game each. The equation is tight, but with Raghuvanshi in red-hot form, Kolkata fans have reason to believe.
