IPL 2024, KKR vs SRH: Russell Power marginally outweighs Klaasen Might in Eden Gardens run-fest

IPL 2024, KKR vs SRH: Andre Russell Power marginally outweighs Heinrich Klaasen Might in Eden Gardens run-fest. KKR beat SRH by 4 runs in a 400+ runs match.

IPL 2024: Andre Russell's all-round enlighten Eden Gardens (Images: ©IPL/X)

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) held their nerves to win a thriller by 4 runs against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Eden Gardens in IPL 2024. South African Heinrich Klaasen of SRH looked to chase down 209 with 29-ball 63 with 8 sixes before Harshit Rana of KKR held calm to restrict the opposition to 204 to take his team home. 

Brief scores: KKR 208/7 (Andre Russell 64 not out, T Natarajan 3/32) beat SRH 204/7 (Heinrich Klaasen 63, Harshit Rana 3/33) by 4 runs.

Player Of The Match: Andre Russell (64 in 25 balls and 2/25) 

Here are the key takeaways from KKR vs SRH that turned the match on its head

KKR Lower order destroys strong SRH bowling line-up 

SRH boasts a bowling line-up with international stars such as Pat Cummins, Marco Jansen and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Their experienced bowling line-up had kept things in check and reduced KKR to 51/4 in 7.3 overs. But SRH had probably not accounted for the depth in the KKR batting line-up as the lower middle order comprising Ramandeep Singh, Andre Russell, and Rinku Singh kept attacking to take the team’s total to 208. 

Ramandeep has played less than 40 T20s but boasts an impressive strike rate of 155+. He lived up to the big-hitting reputation, slamming 17-ball 35 with 1 four and 4 sixes to seize the momentum back. He also gave big hitters Rinku Singh and Andre Russell a platform to go frantic. The two put on an 81-run stand in 5.2 overs, with Russell unleashing his big hitting. 

Russell smashed 64 runs, including 7 sixes and 3 fours in 25 balls. He smashed 3 sixes and 3 fours off Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s last 2 overs, adding 3 sixes off Mayank Markande’s over – the 16th of the innings. Rinku gave good support, making 15-ball 23. KKR creamed 67 runs off the last 4 overs, taking the total beyond 200, and shifting the momentum in KKR’s favour.

Read More: IPL 2024: Royals and Titans look settled on paper; Knight Riders lack death bowling options

IPL 2024: Heinrich Klaasen's 63 off 29 goes in vain (Images: ©IPL/X)

Heinrich Klaasen nearly took SRH home

SRH had a difficult task when they required 76 runs off 24 balls at 19 runs per over. But with a big hitter in Heinrich Klaasen at the crease, SRH were always in the game. The equation boiled down to 60 runs off the last 18 balls. Klaasen then unleashed his big hitting and was ably supported by Shahbaz Ahmed. 

But it was first Klaasen who launched into Varun Chakravarthy, hitting two sixes off the first three balls of the 18th over before Ahmed smashed a six on the fifth ball. In the 19th over bowled by Mitchell Starc, it was make or break for SRH. Klaasen cracked 3 sixes and Ahmed smashed 1 six off that over, sending the figures of Starc, the costliest buy of IPL 2024, in grave embarrassment. Starc went for 53 runs in 4 overs. 

With 13 runs to get off 6 balls, it was SRH game to lose. Klaasen looked to close in on the win when he smashed the first ball of the 20th over bowled by Harshit Rana for a six. Rana came back strongly to dismiss both Klaasen and Ahmed and gave away just 2 runs off the last 4 balls to take KKR home by 4 runs. However, even though SRH lost the match, Klaasen’s 29-ball 63 with 8 sixes stood out. 

Read More: IPL 2023: Breakthrough season for Heinrich Klaasen with 448 runs