Philip Salt and the Kolkata Knight Riders blasted off like a rocket in IPL 2024, amassing 55 runs in the first four overs, including a 28-run over from Lockie Ferguson, after being selected to bat first.
Considering the competition that Sunil Narine has always faced, his day at the bat was uncharacteristically poor. Though the home side had already scored 75 in the powerplay, the final over of the innings was action-packed, with wickets from Narine and youthful Angkrish Raghuvanshi turning the tables. With a late burst of 24* off 9 from Ramandeep Singh, KKR managed to score a total of 222/6 in their 20 overs thanks to a captain’s knock of 50 (36) from captain Shreyas Iyer.
All eyes were waiting for the openers to shoot in return. Nevertheless, Faf du Plessis left early and had no effect. Harshit Rana, a Delhi native, dismissed Kohli in a contentious caught-and-bowled ruling when he appeared to be set for a few of major wickets against Starc and Rana.
Will Jacks and Rajat Patidar shared an incredible 102 runs off of just 48 deliveries, both of which quickly reached half-centuries. But Andre Russell’s brilliant opening over had both of the set batsmen sent back to the pavilion, leaving the Royals to fight for the rest of the match.
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Suyash Prabhudessai and Dinesh Karthik, two Impact Players, each scored two and a half centuries to nearly keep the Royals in the match, but Karn Sharma’s late charge, which included three sixes off Mitchell Starc’s first four deliveries in the final over, cruelly ended in a one-run defeat.
Speaking Points
1. RCB’s bowling troubles are exacerbated by Philip Salt
Salt finally demonstrated his true abilities with the bat after swinging fairly hot and cold during this season’s IPL. He bludgeoned every new-ball bowler for the RCB and utterly destroyed their attack in an innings that set the tone for KKR to crush them. He was dismissed for a quick 48 off 14 balls, including seven fours and three sixes.
2. Karn Sharma has an immediate influence
Karn Sharma, in just his second IPL 2024 match, made the most of the unique chance that was presented to him by using both hands—the bat and the ball. With three maximums off of Starc’s bowling, the wrist-spinner, who had only given up 33 in his quota, took the match to the very end.
3. Starc’s dismal IPL 2024 run continues
Despite the fact that the Australians eventually held off 21 runs off the game’s last over to give KKR their sixth victory of the season, Starc conceded 55 enormous runs in his three overs; this is the third time he has scored more than 50 runs with the ball. Starc’s bowling appears to be a worry for KKR moving forward, with an economy of 11.48 in the most recent edition.
Losing skipper Faf du Plessis:
“It was crazy. Rules are rules, Virat and myself in that space thought the ball was higher than his waist. You always find one team happy and the other not so with such decisions. With a target like 220, takes a hell of a lot to get there. When you haven’t won for a while, just that clarity. Narine’s over was the turning point for me. We feel like the game is changing. We don’t feel like there is time to get in. Guys who take 7-8 balls to get in, it feels like the game does not allow you to do that anymore. It is tough. You just play the match-up with Narine, he is such a quality bowler.
If you are winning games and get the confidence of getting the team over the line, you take such decisions. I am proud of the boys, a lot of fight out there. We though the total was chaseable and thought it was a par score. You have to maximize the powerplay, and be okay with losing two or three wickets. We are as desperate. That’s why I am saying I am proud. Guys put their bodies on the line. We are just as desperate to get back to winning ways. We have an unbelievable fan base. The RCB chant is the loudest. Desperately want to make our fans proud.”
Winning skipper Shreyas Iyer:
“It was a pivotal knock. Wanted to stay till the end and see if I can hit fours here and there. The players walking with me were rotating the strike, that I was happy about. Want to continue in the same vein.”
Player of the Match: Andre Russell
“I always back my bowling. Getting the ball in a crucial time, I know I have to come good. Happy for the two points. When I was batting earlier, change-ups were difficult to hit. As a bowler, that is what I tried – length balls, slower cutters, it was gripping on the surface. I was happy to get the two set batters out, and that’s what changed the game.
When I look at the bowling equation, Harshit had one, Starcy had one, I had two. So, my aim was to bowl an important over and give Starcy as much to defend. I was looking to bowl six deliveries at DK and mixing up with the short ones and slower ones. Worked well tonight.”
India
