In a high-octane encounter at Eden Gardens, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) became the first team to seal their qualification for the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs. Facing off against the formidable Mumbai Indians (MI), KKR clinched a riveting 18-run victory, marking their ninth win of the season and ensuring a berth in the playoffs.
The excitement in Kolkata was palpable despite the persistent rain that forced the match to be shortened to a 16-overs-a-side showdown. MI won the toss and chose to field, igniting the proceedings that got off to an electrifying start. Phil Salt, intending to set a fierce tone, smashed the very first ball of the match, delivered by Nuwan Thushara, over long-off for a massive six. However, the drama ensued as Salt attempted another big shot in the same over, only to find the hands of a fielder in the deep, leading to an early dismissal.
Sunil Narine walked in next but departed just as swiftly. Facing Jasprit Bumrah in the second over, Narine inexplicably left a full delivery that swung in to dismantle his stumps. With KKR reeling at 10 for two, the balance of the game hung precariously.
Amidst the early setbacks, Venkatesh Iyer epitomized the adage that attack is the best form of defense. He played a pivotal role in consolidating KKR’s innings, especially in the fourth over bowled by Bumrah. Initially looking shaky, Iyer soon charged down the pitch to hit two fours and a six, replenishing KKR’s momentum. However, his partners faltered; Shreyas Iyer was bowled around his legs by Anshul Kamboj, leaving KKR in a precarious position once more.
Nitish Rana, back in action post-injury, joined forces with Venkatesh. Their partnership wasn’t monumental, yet it kept KKR moving forward. Venkatesh’s 21-ball 42 was a brief but impactful stint that ended when Suryakumar Yadav caught him off Piyush Chawla’s bowling in the ninth over. Nevertheless, Andre Russell, known for his brute strength, entered the fray and delivered instantly with a six.
Rana, though steady, fell victim to a run-out for 33 in the 12th over, further unsettling KKR’s innings. Despite these frequent jolts, cameos from Russell (24 off 14 balls) and Rinku Singh (20 off 12 balls) ensured KKR posted a competitive total. The final flourish came from Ramandeep Singh, whose unbeaten 17 off eight balls, featuring a six on the last ball, propelled KKR to 157 for seven.
Among MI bowlers, Chawla stood out with figures of two for 28 from three overs, while Bumrah regained the purple cap by taking two for 39 off four overs. Kamboj, though bagging just one wicket, remained economical, conceding only 24 runs in his three overs.
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With a target of 160, it was MI’s turn to bat. The chase began on a blistering note, courtesy of Ishan Kishan. Dominating the powerplay, Kishan smashed his way to 37 off just 17 balls, propelling MI to 59 in the first five overs. Even seasoned bowler Narine wasn’t spared as MI looked set to cruise with their robust start. At the other end, Rohit Sharma provided steady support, hitting an early six off Vaibhav Arora and rotating the strike skillfully.
However, the tide swiftly changed thanks to the crafty KKR spinners. Narine started the breakthrough by dismissing Kishan, catching him at deep midwicket for 40 in the seventh over. Next, Rohit succumbed to Varun Chakaravarthy, lofting one to short fine-leg where Narine secured a sharp catch. By the 10th over, MI had slowed to 81 for two, with Suryakumar Yadav at the crease holding their hopes.
Russell, proving his all-round prowess, extinguished those hopes by trapping Suryakumar in the 11th over, caught at deep square-leg. This dismissal marked the start of a collapse that saw MI’s momentum dwindle. Chakaravarthy and Narine bowled exceptional spells, combining for three crucial wickets and conceding a mere 38 runs in seven overs. Russell also played a key role by dismissing heavy-hitter Tim David for a duck.
Tilak Varma carried the fight for MI, maintaining the chase despite an escalating asking rate. But as the pressure mounted, MI found themselves needing 41 off the final two overs. Naman Dhir’s aggressive batting rekindled their hopes briefly, yet the challenge remained steep. With 22 required off the last over, Harshit Rana delivered a stellar performance under pressure. He not only dismissed Dhir but also ended Tilak’s resolute innings, sealing the game for KKR.
The jubilant crowd at Eden Gardens celebrated another memorable victory, a testament to KKR’s remarkable season. The win solidified KKR’s status as a powerhouse this year, as they concluded their home matches with an impressive five victories out of seven. The triumph over MI underscores their determination and readiness as they advance to the much-anticipated playoffs.