In the heart of Kolkata at the iconic Eden Gardens, the 31 match of the IPL 2024 season unfolded as a classic encounter between Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals (KKR vs RR).
The Royals, after winning the toss, opted to field first, setting the stage for an enthralling contest.
Let check out KKR vs RR head to head in the IPL.
Venue: Eden Gardens
27 matches played between the KKR vs RR at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Kolkata Knight Riders has won 14 matches while Rajasthan Royals has won 13 matches.
Toss Moment
Royal Challengers Bengaluru won the toss and opted to field first, setting the stage for SRH to bat.
“We’ve chosen to bowl first. The pitch looks good and seems like it will improve for batting as the match goes on. I’m thrilled to be back at Eden Gardens; it’s always been a positive place for us. We’re excited to have Jos and Ash bhai back in the lineup for tonight’s game.”
Sanju Samson, RR Skipper
“It was not just a kiss; it was a flying kiss to the coin before the toss. I also wanted to bowl first, especially after noticing some seam movement on the last ball in the previous game, suggesting the pitch has a lot to offer the bowlers. Sunil Narine is a crucial part of our bowling lineup. He’s difficult to read, always keeps a poker face, and we rely on him greatly. We’re fielding the same team today, hoping for strong performance
Shreyas Iyer, KKR Skipper
First Innings
KKR Batting
KKR’s innings was a spectacle of power-hitting, headlined by Sunil Narine’s explosive 109 off 56 balls, which included thirteen 4s and six towering 6s.
Young talent Angkrish Raghuvanshi contributed a quickfire 30 from 18 deliveries, while Rinku Singh remained unbeaten with a brisk 20* off 9 balls.
KKR posted a formidable total of 223 runs for the loss of 6 wickets.
RR Bowling
RR’s bowlers had a challenging day, but Kuldeep Sen managed to claim 2 wickets for 46 runs, dismissing both Raghuvanshi and Venkatesh Iyer.
Avesh Khan was economical with 2 for 35, taking the wickets of Phil Salt and Andre Russell.
Trent Boult and Yuzvendra Chahal each took a wicket, contributing to keeping KKR’s scoring in check.
Second Innings
RR Batting
The Royals’ chase was nothing short of dramatic. Jos Buttler anchored the innings with a masterful 107* off 60 balls, hitting nine 4s and six 6s.
Riyan Parag and Rovman Powell played pivotal cameos, scoring 34 and 26 respectively.
Their combined efforts saw RR reach the target score of 224 runs, winning the match by 2 wickets in a nail-biting finish.
KKR Bowling
KKR’s bowlers fought valiantly with Sunil Narine taking 2/30 and Varun Chakaravarthy also claiming 2 wickets for 36 runs.
Harshit Rana added to the tally with 2/45, and Vaibhav Arora took a crucial wicket.
Man of the Match
The match reached its climax in the final over, with RR needing just a few runs to win.
Buttler, who had been the backbone of the chase, ensured victory with his unbeaten century, rightfully earning him the Man of the Match title.
“Maintaining belief was key today, especially when I struggled for rhythm. Whenever doubts crept in, I focused on positivity. Staying calm is crucial, as unexpected outcomes are common in the IPL. Sangakkara’s advice to stay patient and wait for the momentum to shift has been invaluable. This innings, staying not out and clinching the win, is one of my most satisfying.”
Jos Buttler, Rajasthan Royals
The KKR vs RR match was a testament to the unpredictable and exhilarating nature of T20 cricket.
It was a game that had fans on the edge of their seats until the very last ball, with Rajasthan Royals emerging victorious in a memorable chase.