Rahul Dravid enters field on crutches, stops Quinton de Kock in golden gesture after KKR star's match-winning six vs RR

Rahul Dravid is a sucker for quality. It doesn't matter where it comes from. He won't think twice before praising an opposition player. When Quinton de Kock hit the winning six off Jofra Archer to seal an eight-wicket win for the Kolkata Knight Riders to get them on the board in IPL 2025, RR head coach Dravid was among the first to doff his hat off. The swashbuckling South Africa wicketkeeper-batter, who announced his retirement from ODIs and Tests as early as the age of 31, smashed an unbeaten 97 off 61 balls with six sixes and eight fours to take KKR home in Guwahati on Wednesday. Rahul Dravid meets Quinton de Kock after KKR beat RR

As soon as the match ended in KKR's favour, Dravid entered the field on crutches with a big smile, stopped de Kock just before the left-hander crossed the boundary line to shake his hands. He was also seen patting his back before engaging in a brief conversation.

Earlier, Dravid was spotted on wheelchair before the start of the match. The legendary India cricketer fractured his leg in the lead-up to the IPL but has ensured RR's preparations were not hampered.

It has been a new beginning for both Dravid and de Kock in IPL 2025. The former India coach was appointed RR head coach after leading India to the T20 World Cup win last year, while de Kock was bought by KKR for the first time in the mega auctions.

Dravid was not the only one from RR camp congratulating de Kock for his wonderful knock. RR batter Shimron Hetmyer also gave a warm hug to de Kock as soon as he finished the match for KKR.

De Kock after KKR spinners restrict RR

De Kock, who has retired from Tests and one-day international cricket for South Africa and whose T20 international future remains uncertain, showed no rustiness.

"To be fair, haven't felt any challenges yet," De Kock said.

"Have had three months off which felt nice. Had about a 10-day build-up to this season. Only my second game here, just taking it as I see it."

Kolkata signed De Kock in the mega auction for ₹3.60 crore after he was released by Lucknow Super Giants.

He handed his team a quick start, hitting two fours but then lost opening partner Moeen, run out for five.

Skipper Ajinkya Rahane fell after a brisk 18 but De Kock stood firm and along with impact substitute Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who made 22, steered the team home in an unbeaten stand of 83.

De Kock finished with a six off Jofra Archer as Kolkata bounced back from their opening loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Rajasthan suffered their second straight loss.

Earlier, Kolkata fast bowler Vaibhav Arora dismissed Sanju Samson, bowled for 13, and Chakravarthy and Moeen soon took two wickets each.

Wicketkeeper Samson is Rajasthan's regular captain but has been forced to play only as a batter in the first three matches due to an injury.

Chakravarthy, who starred in India's recent Champions Trophy triumph, got stand-in-skipper Riyan Parag out caught behind for 25.

Former England all-rounder Moeen, in for the unwell Sunil Narine, stifled the opposition with his off-spin and was rewarded with the wicket of Yashasvi Jaiswal for 29.

The 37-year-old and Chakravarthy both struck again as Rajasthan slipped to 82-5 in 11 overs.

Wickets kept tumbling for Rajasthan and despite wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel's 33 and 16 from Archer, they settled for a below-par total.

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