KKR vs MI Highlights, IPL 2024: Kolkata Knight Riders Seal Playoff Berth With Win Over Mumbai Indians

Right then, that wraps up this rain-curtailed game, with Kolkata securing two vital points and becoming the first team to qualify for the playoffs, while Mumbai face their 9th loss of the season. Looking ahead, brace yourselves for an exciting doubleheader Sunday on the 12th of May in the Indian T20 League. The action kicks off with Chennai hosting Rajasthan in the first game at 3.30 pm IST (10 am GMT), followed by Bengaluru taking on Delhi in the second game at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). Do join us back early for all the pre-match buildup. Until then, it's cheers and goodbye!

Varun Chakaravarthy is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his game-changing spell. He says that the plan against Rohit Sharma was to make him hit across the line. Shares that he and Sunil Narine are tactically similar but technically different. Feels that the wickets were too flat initially but he has not changed his bowling much from the first game and he is now reaping the rewards.

Shreyas Iyer, the skipper of Kolkata says that there were nerves and they have been playing well and the boys have put up their hands and this game is a testament to the character of this side. Adds that after losing the toss they had the mindset of winning the game from anywhere and after the strong Powerplay it was great to pull things back in this fashion. Talks about giving the extra over to Varun Chakaravarthy and backing Harshit Rana for the final over and says that he sticks to his instincts and both were tremendous which is why he backed them to get the job done for the side.

It's time for the Presentation Ceremony...

Andre Russell is in for a chat. He says that they batted first and therefore they knew that the ball was sticking in the surface. Mentions that it was a good enough total and it was about utilising the boundary dimensions. Feels that the bowlers won them the game. Shares that he enjoyed the challenge of bowling to Suryakumar Yadav. Adds that it was about keeping things as simple as he could against Suryakumar. States that the more cricket you play, it becomes easier. Further says that he has been working extremely hard on his fitness and he is happy to perform the role given by the team management. Tells that he likes doing as much talking as he can and the youngsters have been eager to learn.

Mumbai's skipper, Hardik Pandya says that it is a tough defeat. Says that the foundation was there but not capitalising on it cost them the game. Shares that the wicket was up and down and it was important to keep the momentum up. Feels that the score was par and the bowlers did a pretty good job. When asked about the approach to the remaining games, he replies that they need to go and enjoy themselves and play good cricket, which they have not done enough this season.

Earlier in the innings, the Mumbai pacers utilized every bit of assistance from the moist deck, dismissing the destructive openers upfront and putting Kolkata on the back foot. Despite the early setbacks, Venkatesh Iyer stood firm against the pace assault and forged a solid partnership with Nitish Rana, who couldn't quite shift into top gear before both were eventually dismissed. Andre Russell provided some respite with a flurry of aggressive strokes, but Kolkata struggled to maintain momentum, losing wickets at regular intervals. Jasprit Bumrah and Piyush Chawla emerged as the standout bowlers for Mumbai, claiming two scalps each, while Anshul Kamboj also made valuable contributions with the ball to restrict Kolkata to 157 runs at the end of 16 overs which turned out to be too much for Mumbai.

With their backs against the wall, Kolkata didn't start the way they intended to with the ball in hand. The pacers leaked runs in the Powerplay, and options for taking wickets seemed out of reach. It was Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy who stemmed the flow of runs and provided the much-needed breakthrough. Subsequently, the pacers tightened their lines and secured a couple more crucial wickets, opening the door for Kolkata to make a comeback. The extended spell of Varun Chakaravarthy proved to be a masterstroke for skipper Shreyas Iyer, as he dismissed the Mumbai skipper, after which it was all about maintaining the momentum, a task the pacers executed exceptionally well. Harshit Rana held his nerve well in the last over and claimed two wickets. Although, it was Varun Chakaravarthy's spell of 2 for 17 off 4 overs which stood out for Kolkata.

It's been a remarkable turnaround for Kolkata as they claw their way back into this nail-biter of a game, securing two vital points and becoming the first team to qualify for the playoffs. This match epitomizes Mumbai's season as they suffer their 9th loss. After a promising end with the ball, Mumbai's openers immediately seized control, effortlessly finding boundaries at will. The chase seemed well within reach, highlighted by a formidable 65-run partnership between Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan. However, their momentum faltered when spin entered the fray, leading to the quick dismissals of both openers and momentarily stalling the chase. Despite efforts from Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma to stabilize, Mumbai's fortunes plummeted with Suryakumar's departure, followed swiftly by skipper Hardik Pandya's dismissal, leaving their hopes shattered as wickets continued to fall. Although Tilak Varma and Naman Dhir made valiant attempts to revive the innings, the target proved insurmountable following the loss of crucial wickets in the middle overs.

KOLKATA ARE THROUGH TO THE PLAYOFFS! Harshit Rana serves it on a good length, on off, Anshul Kamboj stays rooted in his crease and knocks it down to long on without much timing for a single. Harshit Rana has his arms aloft in delight and what a final over it was from him. Kolkata win by 18 runs and become the first time to have 'Q' next to their name.

Rolls his fingers over the ball and serves it on a length, on off, Piyush Chawla dabs it in front of point for one.

Digs it into the deck, over off, Piyush Chawla backs away and slashes hard at the delivery and misses out on the connection.

Piyush Chawla walks out to bat at number 10 for Mumbai.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Harshit Rana has put the final nail in the coffin! Hits the deck hard but does offer width on off, Tilak Varma goes after it but gets undone by the extra bounce there. Gets an outside edge that flies straight to Phil Salt who does the rest.

Angling in, on a back of a length, on off, Anshul Kamboj stabs it down in front of point and brings Tilak Varma on strike.

Anshul Kamboj walks out to bat next for Mumbai.

OUT! TAKEN! Harshit Rana starts the over in the best possible fashion! More than the wicket it is the dot that will help Kolkata and Tilak Varma will remain off strike. Back of a length, over middle, Naman Dhir goes deep in his crease to heave it away. Gets a top edge that goes high in the air and only as far as deep mid-wicket where Rinku Singh settles under it and does the rest.

With Mumbai needing 22 off the last over, who will Shreyas Iyer go to? The skipper throws the ball to Harshit Rana! Can he defend this?

Uh no! Unfortunate for Phil Salt! Goes into the wicket and around off, Naman Dhir gets into two minds to pull it away. Gets a top edge that lobs to the right of the keeper. Phil Salt takes a few steps to his right but trips over an fails to get there in time. 22 needed off the last over for Mumbai.

FOUR! Up and over! In the slot, on off, Naman Dhir gets underneath it and goes inside out over extra cover for four more runs. Can Naman clear the fence again and make it less than 20 runs to get in the final over?