Guwahati, Mar 26 (PTI): Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders rode on Quinton de Kock's classy 97 not out to cruise to a eight-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals in an IPL match here on Wednesday.

Having lost to RCB in the tournament opener, KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane read the track perfectly and his bowlers led by spin twins Varun Chakravarthy (2/17 in 4 overs) and Moeen Ali (2/23 in 4 overs) made full use of conditions to restrict Royals to 151 for 9.

Only Shimron Hetmyer crossed 30-run mark, scoring 33 off 28 balls.

The chase could have been a tricky one but de Kock's 61-ball knock made it a cakewalk as target of 152 was completed in 17.3 overs. He added 83 runs for the third wicket stand with Angkrish Raghuvanshi (22 not out off 17 balls). De Kock's innings had eight fours and six sixes.

Brief Scores:

RR 151/9 (Shimron Hetmyer 33, Varun Chakrvarthy 2/17, Moeen Ali 2/23).

KKR 153/2 in 17.3 overs (Quinton de Kock 97 not out).

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New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led Madhya Pradesh government over the contamination of drinking water in Indore, where at least ten people have died following a diarrhoea outbreak.

Rahul Gandhi said, "In Indore, there was no water, just poison being distributed, while the administration slumbered like Kumbhakarna." He alleged that the tragedy exposed administrative failure in a city that has repeatedly topped the Centre’s ‘cleanest city’ rankings.

"Mourning has spread from home to home, the poor are helpless, and to top it off, arrogant statements from BJP leaders. Those whose hearths have gone cold needed solace; the government served up hubris instead," he said in a post on X.

His remarks came amid controversy over comments made by Madhya Pradesh Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, who had snapped at journalists when questioned about the deaths caused by contaminated water.

According to officials, the deaths were linked to a diarrhoea outbreak triggered by toxic substances in the drinking water supply. Laboratory tests conducted by a city-based medical college confirmed that sewage had leaked into the water pipeline near a newly constructed public toilet in the Bhagirathpura area.

Additional Chief Secretary Sanjay Dubey reportedly said, "We are closely examining the entire drinking water supply pipeline to find out if there is any leakage elsewhere." He said water supply had been restored but people had been urged to boil the water before drinking it.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav visited Indore, met patients, and chaired a review meeting, promising that such a tragedy would not be repeated and that action would follow the investigation report.

So far, two Public Health Engineering Department officials have been suspended and one has been dismissed. A three-member committee has been constituted to probe the incident. The state government has announced compensation of ₹2 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives.