Kolkata Knight Riders got off to a winning start as they defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad in a high-scoring thriller played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on 23rd March 2024. The match went right down the wire.
KKR owner Shahrukh Khan came to support his team. He was caught smoking during the match. KKR got off to a poor start losing wickets of Sunil Narine, Venetkash Iyer, and captain Shreyas Iyer cheaply. They looked in some trouble before Ramandeep Singh and Phil Salt added an important partnership for the 5th wicket.
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Andre Russell displayed brutal hitting remaining not out on 64 off 25 deliveries at an amazing strike rate that helped Kolkata Knight Riders post 209 for 7. Russell showed his class smashing SRH bowlers all over the park smashing 3 fours and 7 sixes.
In reply, Mayank Agarwal and impact player Abhishek Sharma got the team off to a flying start with some luck for both players. SRH openers added 60 runs for the opening wicket laying a strong foundation. SRH kept losing wickets at regular intervals against disciplined KKR bowling, especially Sunil Narine.
Klassen showed his brutal hitting display along with Shahbaz Ahmed. It was a sensational batting effort by Klassen and Shahbaz Ahmed hitting sixes at will in the 18th and 19th overs to leave SRH needing 13 runs off the final over. Klassen hit a six to make equation 7 off 5 deliveries.
Harshit Rana held onto his nerves getting wickets of Shahbaz Ahmed and Klassen to change the tide in favor of KKR. Rana bowled a slower delivery which Cummins could not hit as KKR won the match by 4 runs. Klassen smashed 63 off 29 deliveries with 8 sixes that left the home team stunned.
For his all-around efforts of 64 not out and 2 for 25 in 2 overs, Andre Russell was named the player of the match. Shahrukh Khan was dancing after Kolkata Knight Riders won the opening encounter this season.
Ramandeep Singh scored a quickfire 35 off 17 balls while Rinku Singh scored a quickfire 23 off 15 deliveries which helped KKR post a massive total. Kolkata Knight Riders would look to continue their momentum as they will play Royal Challengers Bengaluru on 29th March.
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