Kolkata Knight Riders opened their IPL 2024 campaign with a bang as they registered a thrilling 4-run win against the SunRisers Hyderabad at the Eden Gardens on March 23.
What a Knight!💜🎊 pic.twitter.com/jb2pJbIPcK
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) March 23, 2024
Put to bat first, KKR started well with opener Phil Salt hitting 3 sixes in the 2nd over to get the crowd going within the power play. His resilient yet fiery half-century saw KKR get good runs on the board despite wickets falling at the other end. However, it was Andre Russell who helped KKR make a remarkable turnaround from 119/6 to 208/7 in the first innings.
Russell Masterclass
Fastest to the feat! ⚡ pic.twitter.com/WL9IZ6QAsE
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) March 23, 2024
Despite the home side struggling for runs by the 14th over, Russell displayed exceptional batting prowess, scoring a blazing 64* off just 25 balls. Russell’s explosive innings, comprising 7 sixes and 3 boundaries, propelled KKR to a formidable total of 208/7 in their allotted 20 overs, setting Hyderabad a challenging target of 209.
Klaasen’s Effort In Vain
Chasing a challenging total of 209, Hyderabad started well in the power play with openers Mayank Agarwal (32) and Abhishek Sharma (32) but the duo couldn’t take SRH to a comfortable position in the chase.
Quick wickets saw the visitors struggle at 111/4 at the 13-over mark. Andre Russell took 2 wickets to his name which saw him becoming the game-changer of the night as well.
Heinrich Klaasen 29-ball 63 took the game to the very last over. However, it Harshit Rana’s calm death over which prevented a miracle and gave KKR a well deserved victory courtesy of a big total put up by their batting contingent.
Also Read: IPL 2024: KKR Pacer Harshit Rana Gives Send Off To Mayank Agarwal After Wicket
