IPL 2024: KKR equals MI for huge feat after thrashing Hardik Pandya & co. to seal playoff berth

New Delhi: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) successfully qualified for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs, becoming the first side of the season to get the “Q” mark beside them on Sunday. Playing against Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, KKR bagged their ninth win of the season while it was the ninth loss for MI who were the first to be out of playoffs contention.

The KKR camp with their owners boasted happy faces as they appreciated the efforts put in by the players. While it was the fifth win of the season for KKR at the Eden Gardens, the Bengal men also equalled their opponents of the day – MI for an elusive feat in the IPL. KKR and MI now jointly hold the record for most wins for a team at a venue in the IPL. Both have won 52 matches at their respective strongholds. Also, it is for the very first time in IPL history that KKR have beaten MI both at Wankhede and at the Eden Gardens in an IPL season.

Most wins for a team at a venue in IPL (including Super Over results)

52 – KKR (Kolkata)
52 – MI (Mumbai WS)
49 – CSK (Chennai)
42 – RCB (Bengaluru)
37 – RR (Jaipur)

KKR beat MI by 18 runs

A rain-affected game that was shortened to 16 overs per side saw the Shreyas Iyer-led side batting first as invited by MI skipper Hardik Pandya. Sadly it wasn’t the day for the openers who walked back without doubling digits score. Phil Salt could contribute with 6 while it was a duck for Sunil Narine. The middle order including Venkatesh Iyer’s crucial 42 helped KKR post 157/7 in 16 overs.

As MI walked out to chase, opener Ishan Kishan looked in a hurry as he quickly piled up 40 runs but couldn’t continue any further. Rohit Sharma played an unwanted knock of 19 off 24 balls followed by Tilak Varma’s 32 – the second top score of the MI innings. MI could manage 139/8 as KKR’s Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, and Andre Rusell all bagged two wickets each to hand MI a second thrashing of the season.

IPL 2024 coverage

• Hardik Pandya
• IPL 2024
• Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
• Mumbai Indians (MI)
• Shreyas Iyer