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In Match 60 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squared off against Mumbai Indians (MI) and ultimately defeated th♓em by the margin of 18 runs in the rain affected encounter at the Ed💦en Gardens on Saturday (May 11).
Venkatesh Iyer’s explosive batting display
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, KKR’s innings started on an uncertain note with early dismissals of opener Phil Salt and the experienced Sunil Narine. However, the emergence of Venkatesh Iyer turned the tide in their favor. Iyer’s explosive batting display, characterized by powerful strokes and clever shot selection, propelled KKR’s innings forward. His blazing knock of 42 runs off just 21 deliveries, adorned with six boundaries and two towering sixes, injected much-needed momentum into KKR’s innings. Despite intermittent setbacks, including the departures of captain Shreyas Iyer and the hard-hitting Nitish Rana, KKR managed to post a competitive score of 157/7 in their allotted 16 overs, owing largely to Iyer’s heroics.
Varun Chakravarthy’s mastery of spin
In response, MI began their chase with determination, led by the aggressive batting of Ishan Kishan, who notched up a brisk 40 runs off 22 balls. Nevertheless, KKR’s bowlers fought back admirably, with Varun Chakravarthy emerging as the standout performer with the spell of 2/18 in his four overs. Chakravarthy’s mastery of spin bowling came to the fore as he bamboozled the MI batters including Rohit Sharma with his variations and impeccable line and length. Supported ably by Harshit Rana and Andre Russell, who chipped in with crucial breakthroughs, KKR’s bowling attack applied consistent pressure on the Mumbai Indians, restricting their scoring opportunities and inducing errors.
Despite valiant efforts from MI’s middle order, including Tilak Varma and Naman Dhir, KKR’s disciplined bowling display ensured that the required run rate climbed steadily. The pressure mounted on MI, resulting in frantic attempts to accelerate the scoring, which ultimately led to their downfall. With the wickets falling at crucial junctures and the required run rate spiraling out of control, MI found themselves falling short of the target, managing only 139/8 in their allotted 16 overs.
Also WATCH: Jasprit B▨umrah special leaves Sunil Narine clueless | KKR vs MI, IPL 2024
IPL 2024 Playoffs birth for KKR
With this hard-fought victory, KKR etched their name as the first team to secure a berth in the IPL 2024 playoffs. Their triumph was a testament to their resilience, skill, and ability to perform under pressure. Led by standout performances from Venkatesh with the bat and Chakravarthy with the ball, KKR showcased their championship credentials and laid down a marker🧸 for the challenges that lie ahead in the playoffs. As the IPL 2024 journey progresses, KKR will look to build on this momentum and stake their claim for the coveted title, fueled by the confidence gained from this significant victory.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Shreyas Iyer had two options to choose from to give the 4th over💟. He chose Va🌠run Chakravarthy instead of experience Sunil narine. It worked. He has captained this kkr side so so well 👏
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan)
Venkatesh Iyer's superb batting record against Mumbai Indians is mainly because he is better equipped to handle MI's pace attack than the other batters in KKR top four. Moreover, MI always had superior new ball bowlers as compared to the quality of KKR openers. Openers getting…
— Prasenjiit Dey (@CricPrasen)
Chakaravarthy🤌🏾🤌🏾
— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa)
Venkatesh Iyer can write a book about how to bat against Mumbai I💧ndians. Bro never fails against us. Unreal consistency.
— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan)
Venkatesh Iyer vs MI in IPLT20
— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
If we don’t retain Venkatesh Iyer, then MI is definitely going to be the 🍌strongest bidder and will do whatever they can to get hold of him. Man performs every single time against them and Wankhede is his playground. Then it’ll be up to us to decide if we want to use the RTM card.
— Reeyan (@BrunoMagnifico_)
I feel Venkatesh Iyer has some personal issues witꦺh Mumbai ffs, he neꦍver forgets to smash us🥲.
— Jay Kumar Shah🇳🇵 (@I_m_Jayyy)
Hard𝓰ik Pandy☂a and Rohit Sharma’s form is a big worry for Mumbai and Indians. You hope that they come back to form quickly.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan)
VARUN CHAKRAVARTHY IS THE BESꦓT INDIAN SPINNER AT THE MOMENT!!
It's BCCI's loss that he is not playing white ball cricket!
NO ARGUMENTS ALLOWED !!
— 🚬🔥 (@_zalzala_)
A reminder that Vaꩲrun💫 Chakravarthy is not part of the T20 World Cup squad.
— KnightRidersXtra (@KRxtra)
Shreyas Iyer giving Varun Chakravarthy an extra over inst𒊎ead of Narine 🤯. And Varun getting the wicket of Hardik in that over. Damn GOOD! There’s a reason he is the best captain this season. You’re just amazing. Love you man 💜
— Abdullah Masroor (@Abdullaahhhh13)
Varun Chakravarthy. What a spell.
4-0-18-2
Phenomenal bowling. 👏👏
— Cricketologist (@AMP86793444)
Shathe cholo …pi𝐐ture abhi baaki hai! 💜
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders)
A 💔 end to the night.
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan)
