In a dramatic and rain-interrupted clash during the 2024 TATA Indian Premier League (IPL), the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) emerged victorious over the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the iconic Eden Gardens, becoming the first team to secure a spot in the playoffs. In a match reduced to 16 overs per side due to persistent rain, KKR registered their ninth win of the season with an 18-run triumph over MI, much to the delight of the home crowd in Kolkata.
The match kicked off with MI winning the toss and opting to field first, setting the stage for a high-octane encounter. KKR’s innings began with a bang as Phil Salt smashed the very first delivery, bowled by Nuwan Thushara, for a towering six over long-off. However, Salt’s aggression proved to be a double-edged sword, as he was dismissed in the same over, attempting another big shot that ended in the hands of a deep fine-leg fielder.
Jasprit Bumrah, one of MI’s star bowlers, came on for the second over and made an immediate impact. Off his first ball, Sunil Narine misread a full delivery, allowing it to swing in and crash into the stumps, leaving KKR in early trouble at 10 for two. The early wickets put KKR on the backfoot, but Venkatesh Iyer’s aggressive approach helped steady the ship. Facing an injury scare at the start of Bumrah’s fourth over, Iyer turned the tables with a series of boundary hits, including two fours and a six, bringing KKR back into the game.
Despite these efforts, KKR struggled to build substantial partnerships, losing wickets at regular intervals. Shreyas Iyer was bowled by Anshul Kamboj around his legs, leaving KKR at a precarious position. Nitish Rana, returning from injury, joined Venkatesh in the middle and contributed crucial runs. Venkatesh’s 21-ball 42 was pivotal, but his dismissal by Suryakumar Yadav off Piyush Chawla in the ninth over brought another setback.
Andre Russell then walked in and immediately made his presence felt with a six, a trademark shot of his powerful batting style. Although Nitish Rana managed to keep the scoreboard ticking, he was eventually run out for 33 in the 12th over. Useful contributions from Russell (24 off 14 balls) and Rinku Singh (20 off 12 balls, including two sixes) helped KKR inch closer to a challenging total. Ramandeep Singh’s unbeaten 17 off eight balls, featuring a six off the final delivery of the innings, propelled KKR to 157 for seven.
MI’s bowlers put up a commendable effort, with Chawla finishing as the most successful with figures of two for 28 in three overs.
. Bumrah, although expensive, picked up two crucial wickets for 39 runs off his four overs, retaining the purple cap. Kamboj’s economical spell of one for 24 in three overs also played a key role in restricting KKR’s total.
The MI innings began with a blitz, especially through Ishan Kishan, who propelled his team to a rapid start with 37 runs off just 17 balls in the powerplay. Harshit Rana and Sunil Narine faced the brunt of Kishan’s onslaught, with MI racing to 59 runs in the first five overs. MI looked poised for a successful chase as Kishan continued his aggressive batting, while Rohit Sharma contributed by rotating the strike efficiently after a big hit off a free-hit delivery by Vaibhav Arora.
However, the middle overs saw a dramatic turnaround, as KKR spinners applied the breaks on MI’s innings with a tight and wicket-taking spell. Narine dismissed Ishan Kishan, who captured his wicket with a catch at deep midwicket for 40 in the seventh over. Rohit Sharma soon followed, miscuing one to short fine-leg off Varun Chakaravarthy’s bowling. By the end of the 10th over, MI’s pace had slowed down to 81 for two, and the required run rate started climbing.
Suryakumar Yadav’s presence at the crease offered MI some hope, but Andre Russell dashed those hopes by dismissing him in the 11th over when he pulled one to deep square-leg. KKR continued to chip away at MI’s batting lineup, and Chakaravarthy’s miserly spell of four overs for just 17 runs, including two wickets, proved crucial. Narine and Russell also contributed with vital breakthroughs, with Russell notably sending Tim David back to the pavilion for a duck.
Tilak Varma fought valiantly to keep MI’s chances alive, but the increasing required run rate compounded the pressure. With 41 runs needed off the last two overs, Naman Dhir’s aggressive batting briefly reignited MI’s hopes. However, Harshit Rana stepped up in the final over, dismissing Dhir and ending Tilak Varma’s resistance to seal the win for KKR.
The pulsating victory at Eden Gardens, their fortress this season, prompted euphoric celebrations among the Kolkata faithful. With five wins out of seven home games, KKR now looks forward to the playoffs with great confidence, eager to continue their memorable season on a high note.