Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) etched their name in the annals of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 by becoming the first team to secure a playoff berth this season. The electrifying atmosphere at their iconic home ground, Eden Gardens, was the perfect backdrop for this significant occasion as KKR clinched an 18-run victory over Mumbai Indians (MI) – marking their ninth win of the season.
The match had an unexpected twist even before it started. Thanks to persistent rain during the evening, the contest was reduced to a 16-overs-a-side affair. MI, seizing the advantage of the damp conditions, opted to field first after winning the toss. The decision led to an explosive start right from the first delivery. Phil Salt, facing Nuwan Thushara, sent the ball soaring over long-off for a massive six. However, his aggressive intent didn’t last long; an attempt to clear fine-leg saw him sky the ball, resulting in a catch in the deep.
The second over saw the entry of Jasprit Bumrah, who made an immediate impact. Sunil Narine, opting not to play a full delivery, watched in dismay as the ball swung in and shattered the stumps, leaving KKR at a precarious 10 for two. The early collapse put KKR on the backfoot, but Venkatesh Iyer’s counter-attacking approach gave them some breathing room. In the fourth over, bowled by Bumrah, Venkatesh initially faced a scare but soon turned the tide, stepping out to hit two fours and a six. This crucial over for KKR hinted at their intent to fight back.
Shreyas Iyer’s stint at the crease was short-lived, bowled around his legs by Anshul Kamboj. The stage then saw Nitish Rana return from injury to join Venkatesh. Throughout KKR’s innings, substantial partnerships were missing, but noteworthy contributions kept the scoreboard ticking. Venkatesh’s blistering 21-ball 42 set a robust foundation. Unfortunately, he fell when he seemed on the brink of a bigger score, caught by Suryakumar Yadav off Piyush Chawla.
Andre Russell’s arrival at the crease continued the assault. He smashed his second ball over long-on for a traditional Russell six. Nitish Rana played his part well, maintaining the scoring rate with consistent boundaries. However, a run-out in the 12th over ended his effort at 33.
. KKR’s innings saw useful cameos intertwined, pushing them close to the 160 mark – an achievable yet challenging target for MI. Russell contributed 24 off 14 balls, Rinku Singh added 20 off 12 balls with two sixes, and Ramandeep Singh’s unbeaten 17 off eight balls, inclusive of a last-ball six, propelled KKR to 157 for seven. Among MI bowlers, Chawla emerged the most successful with figures of two for 28 in his three overs, while Bumrah’s two for 39 off four overs saw him reclaim the purple cap. Kamboj, with an economical one for 24 in three overs, also impressed.
The MI innings began on a high note with Ishan Kishan launching a fierce attack in the powerplay. The first five overs saw MI zoom to 59, with Ishan alone smashing 37 off just 17 balls. Harshit Rana’s over went for 15 runs, and even Narine was not spared, conceding a six and a four in the fifth over. MI looked set for a comfortable chase with Ishan in sublime touch. Rohit Sharma, meanwhile, supported well, hitting a six off Vaibhav Arora early on and rotating the strike.
The middle overs saw KKR spinners clawing their way back into the game with tight spells and crucial wickets. Narine’s clean-up of Ishan, caught at deep midwicket for 40 in the seventh over, marked a turning point. Rohit’s departure soon after, caught at short fine-leg off Varun Chakaravarthy’s bowling, saw MI slowing down significantly to 81 for two by the 10th over. Suryakumar Yadav’s presence kept MI’s hopes alive, but Russell dismissed him, caught at deep square-leg, in the 11th over, putting further pressure on MI.
As the wickets kept tumbling, MI’s momentum halted. Chakaravarthy’s impressive figures of two-for-17 in four overs and Narine’s economical one-for-21 in three overs highlighted KKR’s defensive prowess. Russell also chipped in with crucial dismissals, including that of Tim David for a duck.
Tilak Varma’s resilience kept MI in contention even as the required rate escalated. With 41 needed off the final two overs, Naman Dhir’s aggressive batting reignited MI’s faint hopes. But Harshit Rana’s brilliant last over, conceding just 22 runs, sealing the win by dismissing both Dhir and Tilak, cemented KKR’s victory.
The roaring Eden Gardens crowd celebrated yet another win in what has been a phenomenal season for KKR. With five victories in seven matches at their home ground, KKR head towards the playoffs with tremendous momentum and confidence.