Quinton de Kock delivered an impressive performance, scoring an unbeaten 97 runs on a challenging Barsapara pitch, guiding Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to a convincing eight-wicket victory against Rajasthan Royals during their IPL match on Wednesday.

Choosing to bowl first, KKR's disciplined bowling lineup, spearheaded by spinners Varun Chakravarthy (2/17) and Moeen Ali (2/23), effectively limited Rajasthan Royals to a modest total of 151 runs for 9 wickets.

In reply, De Kock's stellar innings of 97 not out off 61 balls, featuring eight fours and six sixes, ensured KKR chased down the target comfortably in just 17.3 overs.

Despite the tricky pitch conditions, De Kock showcased his aggressive yet controlled batting style, maintaining the momentum of KKR's chase.

The run chase was steady, with the required run rate remaining manageable throughout the innings.

Although KKR lost Moeen Ali (5) and captain Ajinkya Rahane (18) early on, De Kock anchored the innings, forming a solid partnership with young Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who contributed 22 runs off 17 balls.

The pair built an unbroken partnership of 83 runs off just 44 balls, marking KKR's first win of the season.

De Kock was in fine form, favoring ground strokes over risky aerial shots while still finding the boundary with ease.

He took calculated risks, particularly against Jofra Archer, hitting him for both a four and a six in the same over.

De Kock reached his half-century in a mere 35 balls, launching a massive six off Wanindu Hasaranga, marking his third six of the innings.

Rajasthan Royals may have over-relied on their spin options, allowing KKR's batsmen to settle into a rhythm.

Hasaranga, who had previously dismissed De Kock twice, was unable to contain him this time.

A more aggressive strategy, such as introducing Jofra Archer earlier in the middle overs, might have increased pressure on KKR, but Archer was only brought in during the 18th over when KKR needed just 17 runs from 18 balls.

De Kock welcomed him with a boundary and then hit two sixes to finish the match comfortably.

Earlier, Chakravarthy and Ali dismantled the Royals' middle order, each taking two wickets in consecutive overs right after the powerplay, shifting the match's momentum towards KKR.

Seamer Vaibhav Arora (2/33) was expensive but managed to take two crucial wickets, including regular captain Sanju Samson (13 off 11) with a yorker during the powerplay and dismissing impact substitute Shubham Dubey (9) cheaply.

Harshit Rana (2/36) played a key role at the death, breaking Dhruv Jurel's promising innings of 33 (28) and removing the dangerous Shimron Hetmyer for just 7 runs in the critical penultimate over.

A quick cameo of 16 runs from 7 balls by Jofra Archer helped the Royals reach the 150-run mark, but he fell to Spencer Johnson (1/42) in the penultimate ball of their innings.

RR had initially looked set for a larger total at 54 for 1, with a well-set Yashasvi Jaiswal (29 off 24) and local talent Riyan Parag (25 off 15) at the crease.

However, KKR responded immediately, with Chakravarthy, their mystery spinner, triggering a collapse in the seventh over by dismissing the threatening Parag with a cleverly disguised 113kph delivery.