Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) became the first team in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 to seal their qualification to the playoffs. At their home ground, Eden Gardens, KKR clinched an 18-run win over Mumbai Indians (MI) – their ninth of the season. 

Due to the persistent rain in the evening, the contest was reduced to a 16-overs-a-side affair. In such conditions, MI won the toss and chose to field and to say that the match got off to a blockbuster start is an understatement. Phil Salt smashed the first ball of the match, bowled by Nuwan Thushara, over long-off for a massive six. Later in the over, Salt tried to go over fine-leg but only managed to sky it – and was caught by the fielder in the deep. Jasprit Bumrah came on for the second over, and off the first ball, Sunil Narine shouldered arms to a full delivery, which swung in and shattered the stumps. At 10 for two, KKR were in a crisis. 

You miss, I hit 🎯⚡️

A rare golden duck in Kolkata for Sunil Narine! 😲

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— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 11, 2024

In the next few overs, Venkatesh Iyer signified the old saying that attack is the best form of defence. KKR may have been on the backfoot, but Venkatesh ensured they delivered a few punches. In the fourth over, bowled by Bumrah, Venkatesh at first faced an injury scare, but in the second half, he used his feet and charged at the bowler. With two fours and a six, it was an important over for KKR. Shreyas Iyer was bowled soon after, around his legs, by Anshul Kamboj. Nitish Rana, returning from injury, joined Venkatesh in the middle. 

Through KKR’s innings, there were no big partnerships as they lost wickets at regular intervals. There were important contributions, though. Venkatesh’s 21-ball 42 set the tone for the innings. He was dismissed just when he looked set to go big and was caught by Suryakumar Yadav off Piyush Chawla in the ninth over. Andre Russell walked in and carted his second ball over long-on for a trademark six. Nitish had done well during that phase, as he got boundaries fairly regularly and maintained the tempo. However, he was run-out for 33 in the 12th over. 

Muscle Russell announces his arrival 💜

Is this the beginning of an explosive finish 🤔

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— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 11, 2024

The useful cameos in the middle and at the end helped KKR get close to 160 – which was a 10-an-over run-chase for MI. Russell contributed with 24 off 14 balls. Rinku Singh got 20 off 12 balls with two sixes and an unbeaten 17 off eight balls by Ramandeep Singh, which included a six off the last ball took KKR to 157 for seven. Chawla was the most successful bowler for MI with two for 28 in his three. Bumrah got two for 39 off four overs and regained his hold of the purple cap. Kamboj was economical at one for 24 in his three overs. 

Down the ground and far far away! 😎

Rinku Singh aiming for a strong finish 🔥🔥

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— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 11, 2024

Ishan Kishan helped MI off to a racing start in the powerplay. The first five overs saw MI race away to 59 – with Ishan getting 37 off only 17 balls. Harshit Rana went for 15 in the fourth over. Even Narine, who bowled the fifth, was hit for a six and four. MI looked on course to a win thanks to that quick start as Ishan looked in great touch to attack. On the other hand, Rohit had started off by hitting a six off Vaibhav Arora early in the innings off a free-hit and was rotating the strike. 

Fabulous flick played with ease! 💙

Fifty partnership 🆙 between the #MI openers 🔥🔥

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— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 11, 2024

In the middle overs, the KKR spinners helped their side get back in the game with an economical spell coupled with wickets. Narine got rid of Ishan when he had him caught at deep midwicket for 40 in the seventh over. Soon after, Rohit hit one to short fine-leg where Narine caught it to help Varun Chakaravarthy with his first wicket. By the 10th over, MI slowed down to 81 for two. They had hope with Suryakumar in the middle. Russell put paid to those hopes when Suryakumar pulled one to deep square-leg in the 11th over. 

KKR kept pegging MI back with crucial wickets and the slow-down continued. Chakaravarthy bowled four overs for only 17 for his two wickets. Narine bowled three and took a wicket for 21 runs. Russell also chipped in with crucial wickets and getting Tim David for no score was of big help to KKR. 

Huge moment in the chase!

Andre Russell gets the in-form Suryakumar Yadav O.U.T ☝️#MI need 70 off 30 now

Watch the match LIVE on @StarSportsIndia and @JioCinema 💻📱#TATAIPL | #KKRvMI pic.twitter.com/kymN1O4LjC

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 11, 2024

For MI, Tilak Varma fought hard and kept them in the chase even as the asking rate mounted. As 41 were needed off the last two overs, some aggressive batting by Naman Dhir reignited MI’s hopes. However, with 22 to get off the last over, Harshit came to the party again and bowled a good over. He dismissed Dhir and then ended Tilak’s fight to seal the deal. 

Joy at the Eden Gardens for the @KKRiders 💜

The @ShreyasIyer15-led side enter the #TATAIPL 2024 Playoffs with a clinical win 👏👏

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— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 11, 2024

The Eden Gardens crowd celebrated another victory in what has been a memorable season for KKR so far. KKR leave their home ground this year with five victories in seven matches.