By Andre Russell dazzled with a 64* off 25 balls, showcasing a death-overs hitting spree, matched by Heinrich Klassen’s 63 off 29 in SRH’s chase of 209 runs. However, Harshit Rana’s clutch bowling, defending 7 off the final 5 balls, sealed a four-run win for Kolkata Knight Riders in a final-ball thriller. Russell’s onslaught propelled KKR to an 85-run burst in the last five overs, setting the first 200-plus score of IPL 2024. Despite Klaasen’s heroics, bringing SRH close with a chase down from 60 off 18 to 13 off the final over, Harshit decisive final over handed heartbreak to the visitors at Eden Gardens.
Natarajan and Bhuvneshwar initially reined in KKR in the PowerPlay, with a standout over from Marco Jansen seeing Phil Salt hitting three consecutive sixes. However, quick dismissals, including Sunil Narine’s run-out and both Iyers falling to Natarjan, curtailed KKR’s momentum. Ramandeep Singh then ignited the innings with four sixes across successive overs against four different bowlers, adding a vital 35 runs in a 17-ball cameo.
Russell then turned the tide in KKR’s favor from the 16th over onwards, with his rapid fifty marking the start of a dominant close to the innings. Despite Bhuvneshwar’s early economical spell, Russell’s fierce hitting saw KKR reach 200 by the 19th over. Natarajan’s final over limited further damage, even as he dismissed Rinku Singh.
Harshit, Russell Power KKR to Thrilling Win
The chase saw SRH keeping up with the required rate, highlighted by a face-off between Mayank Agarwal and Harshit. Despite a dropped chance and a successful LBW review in Mayank’s favor, Harshit managed to dismiss him for a 21-ball 32. Sunil Narine’s tight spell then squeezed SRH’s scoring, maintaining pressure through the middle overs.
Klaasen’s late assault threatened to take the game away from KKR, but his efforts fell just short. Harshit’s tactical shift to slower deliveries in the final over dismantled SRH’s charge, despite Klaasen’s six early in the over. Cummins’ inability to connect on the final ball confirmed KKR’s narrow victory by four runs.
Brief scores had Kolkata Knight Riders posting 208/7, thanks to Russell and Salt’s significant contributions, against Sunrisers Hyderabad’s 204/7, with Klassen leading the charge but falling short, courtesy of Harshit’s pivotal final over.
