Kolkata Knight Riders scored 208/7 in 20 overs, where as Sunrisers Hyderabad scored 204/7 in 20 overs.
So, finally Kolkata Knight Riders beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by 4 runs.
Andre Russell’s blistering knock of 64* off 25 deliveries showcased a breathtaking display of power-hitting in the death overs, a performance that was matched stride for stride by Heinrich Klaasen’s explosive innings of 63 off 29 balls during SRH’s daunting chase of 209 runs.
However, it was Harshit Rana’s heroics in defending 7 runs off the final 5 balls that ultimately propelled Kolkata Knight Riders to a thrilling victory, clinching the final-ball thriller by four runs.
Russell’s onslaught enabled KKR to plunder 85 runs in the last five overs, setting the stage for the first 200-plus score of IPL 2024.
In a back-and-forth battle, Klaasen’s brilliance reduced SRH’s equation from an improbable 60 runs off 18 balls to a mere 13 runs off the final over, only for Harshit’s timely strikes to seal a heartbreak for the visitors at the iconic Eden Gardens.
Natarajan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar put a lid on KKR’s scoring in the Power Play phase.
The Power Play commenced with a tidy spell from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, but his efforts were interrupted by a costly over from Marco Jansen.
Phil Salt capitalized on this opportunity, launching a hat-trick of sixes in the extra-cover region to kickstart KKR’s innings.
However, the momentum was short-lived as Sunil Narine was run-out in the same over.
Soon after, both Iyers – Venkatesh and Shreyas – fell victim to T Natarajan’s well-directed lofted deliveries.
Collectively, the duo of Natarajan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar conceded just 16 runs and claimed two crucial wickets in the PowerPlay, putting a brake on KKR’s scoring spree.
However, KKR’s Nitish Rana fell prey to a pre-meditated switch hit in the eighth over, adding to SRH’s success in containing the opposition during the initial overs.
Ramandeep ignites the innings
Entering the crease with KKR struggling at 51/4, Ramandeep Singh injected much-needed momentum into the innings.
He launched a ferocious assault, smashing four consecutive sixes in as many overs bowled by Pat Cummins, Mayank Markande, Marco Jansen, and Shahbaz Ahmed.
However, the resurgence was halted by the SRH skipper, who reintroduced himself into the attack and terminated Ramandeep’s onslaught with a well-disguised offcutter, expertly caught by Markande at cover.
Despite the abrupt end to his fireworks, Ramandeep’s brief cameo of 17 balls yielded 35 crucial runs, punctuated by a boundary.
Meanwhile, Salt notched up a half-century off 38 deliveries before succumbing to Markande’s guile, departing on 54.
Russell unleashes his vintage power-hitting prowess
At 123/5, Kolkata Knight Riders found themselves in a precarious position before Andre Russell decided to turn back the clock at the start of the 16th over.
By the end of the 19th over, the hosts had soared past the 200-run mark.
Mayank Markande bore the brunt of Russell’s onslaught, conceding three consecutive sixes in just five deliveries.
Subsequently, Russell dismantled Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s bowling in the remaining overs, dispatching him for three towering sixes and an equal number of boundaries.
Along the way, he reached a scintillating fifty in just 20 balls, igniting the season for KKR.
Bhuvneshwar, who had conceded a mere seven runs in his initial two overs, ended up with figures of 51/0, including a costly penultimate over where Russell plundered 26 runs to bring up KKR’s historic 200-plus total, a first in IPL 2024.
Despite the onslaught, T Natarajan managed to contain some of the damage in the final over, conceding only eight runs and also claiming the wicket of Rinku Singh, who scored 23 runs off 15 balls.
A duel within the game
Amidst the action-packed PowerPlay, Hyderabad managed to match the required run rate, featuring a captivating contest between Mayank Agarwal and Harshit.
The SRH opener successfully challenged an LBW decision, overturning the on-field call when he was on 11, courtesy of a review against the pacer.
Ramandeep had a difficult chance diving forward in the deep, narrowly missing out on dismissing Mayank when he reached 17.
Capitalizing on the opportunity, Mayank struck a six and a four in the latter part of the over, adding to the bowler’s frustration.
However, Harshit had the last laugh, dismissing Mayank for a brisk 21-ball 32 and bidding him farewell with a spirited send-off.
Additionally, Abhishek Sharma, who had started aggressively with a boundary and two sixes off Varun Chakravarthy, fell to a well-directed short delivery from Russell, who struck with just his second ball.
Narine’s pivotal role in KKR’s middle overs dominance
KKR strategically deployed Narine immediately after the powerplay, and his relentless four-over spell stifled the flow of runs from one end.
Conceding a mere 19 runs, Narine kept a tight leash on both new batters at the crease, exerting pressure on SRH’s batting lineup.
Although he claimed only one wicket, dismissing Rahul Tripathi, who survived two dropped catches on 5 and 13 and a close LBW call on 14, Narine’s disciplined bowling restricted SRH’s scoring opportunities.
Tripathi eventually fell while attempting a sweep shot, holing out to deep square leg.
With the loss of Aiden Markram to Chakaravarthy in the preceding over, SRH managed just 50 runs for the loss of two wickets in the crucial 7-14 overs phase, allowing KKR to assert their dominance in the middle overs.
Klaasen’s late onslaught goes unrewarded
Despite the pressure applied by Narine’s economical bowling, SRH required a daunting 76 runs from the final four overs.
However, Heinrich Klaasen, who had already dispatched Chakravarthy for a couple of sixes, was just getting into his groove.
Upon the spinner’s return, following a costly 16-run over from Russell, Klaasen unleashed his fury, smashing two consecutive sixes down the ground.
Shahbaz joined in the assault, matching Klaasen’s aggression.
The South African continued his rampage against Mitchell Starc, striking three more sixes off the first four balls and completing a blistering fifty off just 25 deliveries.
Shahbaz added one more six to the tally to conclude the over.
With 13 runs required off the final six deliveries, victory seemed within SRH’s grasp.
However, Harshit initiated with a well-directed short ball, but Klaasen capitalized on it, registering his eighth six of the innings.
Nevertheless, the pacer staged a remarkable comeback, resorting to slower deliveries.
In a dramatic turn of events, he dismissed both well-set batters within the next four deliveries, with Suyash Sharma taking a commendable catch running behind to remove Klaasen.
The pressure mounted on Cummins, who needed a boundary to force the game into a Super Over.
However, he failed to connect, ultimately conceding victory to KKR and relinquishing the two points.
Despite Klaasen’s valiant efforts, SRH fell agonizingly short of victory in a thrilling encounter.
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