In an electrifying display of Twenty20 cricket, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) not only entertained but dominated at the picturesque Visakhapatnam stadium by amassing a gigantic total of 272 for seven against the Delhi Capitals (DC). This score is etched as the second highest in the annals of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL), surpassing the erstwhile record held by Royal Challengers Bangalore who scored 263 back in 2013.
KKR’s triumph in this match marks their third consecutive win in the 2024 IPL season, showcasing their formidable form early in the tournament. This scoring feast came a week after the Hyderabad team set the current highest IPL total of 277, hinting at a possible trend of high scores in this season’s games.
The match turned into a spectacle right from the beginning. Sunil Narine, who eventually top-scored, took a few deliveries to find his rhythm but soon started his onslaught. After a quiet start, scoring only a single from his first six balls, Narine switched gears in the fourth over. He collected 26 runs from Ishant Sharma’s over through an array of horizontal bat shots and aerial hits, signaling a bad outing for the Delhi bowlers early on.
Despite a brief hope for DC when Anrich Nortje dismissed Phil Salt, the incoming Angkrish Raghuvanshi, on his IPL debut, instantly made his presence felt. The partnership between Narine and Raghuvanshi was a spectacle, combining youth and experience to brilliant effect. Together, they added 104 runs in just 48 balls, delighting the fans with their contrasting but effective styles. Narine’s power-hitting complemented Raghuvanshi’s technique and finesse, including a reverse scoop for six that wowed the crowd.
By the end of the powerplay, KKR were strongly positioned at 88 for one, with Narine racing to his fifty off only 21 balls. Even after the powerplay, the carnage continued, with Narine surpassing his personal best scores in the IPL and all T20 cricket before finally falling for 85 to a Mitchell Marsh delivery. His dismissal brought Andre Russell, who, along with Rinku Singh, kept the scoreboard ticking rapidly, pushing KKR past 200 in the 16th over.
For DC, the day remained tough as their bowlers struggled against the aggressive batting. Ishant Sharma managed a memorable delivery, a searing yorker to dismiss Russell, but by then, the damage was extensively done.
In response, Delhi Capitals had a turbulent start, losing four wickets in the powerplay. The mounting pressure of the colossal target was evident as they stumbled to 33 for four. Rishabh Pant and Tristan Stubbs tried to rebuild with a brisk partnership, with Pant notably aggressive, reaching his fifty off just 23 deliveries. The stand, however, proved insufficient to chase down the mammoth target set by KKR.
Despite a valiant effort, Pant and Stubbs’ dismissals pivoted the game decisively in KKR’s favor. KKR’s bowlers capitalized, with Vaibhav Arora, the Impact Player of the match, claiming three wickets. Mitchell Starc and Varun Chakravarthy also chipped in with vital contributions to wrap up the innings. DC eventually fell short by 106 runs, underlining KKR’s dominance in the match.
This remarkable match not only entertained but also highlighted the sheer unpredictability and thrill of T20 cricket, setting a high bar for the rest of the IPL season. With such performances, KKR is signaling their intent early and looking like strong contenders for the title this year.