Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will be looking to get off the mark in IPL 2025 when they face off in Jaipur

Riyan Parag's first game as Rajasthan Royals' captain in Guwahati is more than just a personal milestone—it’s a moment of pride for Assam. However, he has a big challenge on his hands, especially after RR's bowlers were dismantled by SRH in their opening game. With RR struggling for a reliable sixth bowling option, Parag might need to step up with the ball himself or find space for Wanindu Hasaranga in the XI. While their batting showed promise, with Sanju Samson, Dhruv Jurel, and Shimron Hetmyer stepping up, their bowlers will need to bounce back against a KKR side looking for redemption. For KKR, the likes of Venkatesh Iyer, Andre Russell, and Rinku Singh need to fire after their disappointing finishes against RCB. With Mumbai Indians up next, a second consecutive loss could put KKR under pressure early in the tournament. Both teams have areas to address, making this a fascinating battle in Guwahati. Will Parag lead RR to their first points of IPL 2025, or will KKR’s depth and experience prove decisive? Wanindu Hasaranga's absence from RR's playing XI against SRH raised eyebrows, especially given his pedigree as a world-class T20 bowler. While Maheesh Theekshana provides powerplay control, Hasaranga offers wicket-taking ability in the middle overs, something RR desperately needed when their bowlers were taken apart in their opening game. With KKR featuring aggressive players like Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and Rinku Singh, Hasaranga's variations could be a game-changer. If RR decide to bring him in, Theekshana might have to sit out unless they drop a pacer, which seems unlikely after Archer's struggles. For KKR, Ajinkya Rahane's faith in his fast bowlers suggests they may stay unchanged. However, if they opt for extra pace, Anrich Nortje could replace Spencer Johnson. Meanwhile, Nitish Rana facing his former team adds an emotional subplot. After six seasons and a title with KKR, how he performs for RR could be a key factor in this clash. Should RR back Theekshana, or is it time to unleash Hasaranga ? Dhruv Jurel and Quinton de Kock are two players under scrutiny for different reasons, making their performances in this game crucial. Jurel has shown he can be a game-changer in the middle order, but his struggles against quality spin could be a problem, especially against KKR's Narine and Chakravarthy. If he can find a way to counter them, RR’s batting lineup will look far more balanced. De Kock, on the other hand, has been far from his best lately. With KKR investing in him over Gurbaz, the South African needs to justify that decision. His explosive starts are valuable, but consistency is key—especially with Narine also being an unpredictable opener. If de Kock finds form, it could solve KKR’s top-order concerns. Which of these two steps up could have a major say in this game. Will Jurel handle KKR’s spinners better, or will de Kock finally find some rhythm ?