In the third match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by four runs at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
SRH skipper Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bowl first.With Phil Salt (54) shattering a few boundaries up front, KKR got off to a great start. The wicketkeeper-batter hit three fours and three sixes and seemed like he was going to score plenty on his KKR debut until he was removed shortly after reaching a half-century. The home team’s aggressive approach was temporarily halted when they lost three wickets during the powerplay. Ramandeep Singh (35), who produced an outstanding knock in the second half of the inning, got the Knights back in the game. Playing at a strike rate of almost 200, the batter certainly cemented his inclusion in the XI for upcoming games. While the major part of the game was done, the best was yet to come. Andre Russell (64*) showcased his magic yet again at the Eden Gardens. Russell hit seven humongous sixes and just three fours at a strike rate of over 250. Rinku Singh (23) also helped in his own way, mostly by quietly putting Russell back on strike. With what appeared to be 175 on board at one stage, the Shreyas Iyer-led side performed admirably, finishing with 208/7 in 20 overs.
In the chase, SRH got off to an electrifying start with both openers, Mayank Agarwal (32) and Abhishek Sharma (32) powering the side through the powerplay. However, the team kept losing wickets right after the first six overs, with the required run rate going over 15. Heinrich Klassen (63*) powered SRH with some masterful strokes. The Protea batter hit massive eight sixes, which almost took Hyderabad home with two points. The South African batter was out on the penultimate ball of the game, and with five needed on the final ball, skipper Cummins missed it, giving KKR their maiden win.
Harshit Rana was the star of the night, as he plucked three wickets. Moreover, with Klassen swinging the way he was, the right-arm bowler did an amazing job of defending 13 runs in the final over. Additionally, Sunil Narine had an excellent outing with the ball, as he only conceded 19 runs in his quota of four overs. He also took one wicket. Along with Narine, one wicket was also taken by Varun Chakaravarthy. Andre Russell also grabbed two wickets.
For SRH with the ball, it was T Natarajan’s spell in the powerplay which kept KKR from scoring much. The left-armer plucked three wickets in his four overs, while Mayank Markande also obtained two wickets. With them, Pat Cummins also got one wicket.
For his spectacular batting show, Andre Russell was adjudged Player of the Match. Following this win, Kolkata Knight Riders have secured their first two points of the season.
Scorecard:
Kolkata Knight Riders: 208/7, Overs 20, Andre Russell 65*, T Natarajan 3/32
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 204/7, Overs 20, Heinrich Klassen 63, Harshit Rana 3/33