IPL 2024: KKR thrash DC to consolidate second spot
Kolkata Knight Riders beat Delhi Capitals in Match 47 of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The Knight Riders successfully chased down 154, with Philip Salt (68) powering their run-chase. Earlier, the KKR bowlers made merry on a spin-friendly surface. Varun Chakravarthy led their attack with a pivotal three-wicket haul. Here are the key stats.
A look at match summary
DC had a positive start after electing to bat first. However, they lost six wickets before the 100-run mark. Harshit Rana and Vaibhav Arora took regular wickets, which brough them down to 99/6. Chakravarthy fired thereafter. Kuldeep Yadav's unbeaten 35 helped DC reach 153/9 (20). In response, a 33-ball 68 from Salt made the chase one-sided. Shreyas Iyer and Venkatesh Iyer got KKR home.
Chakravarthy takes three-fer
The Capitals were down to 68/4 in 6.4 overs. Chakravarthy, being introduced after the Powerplay, created a chance on his first delivery. However, Rana dropped Rishabh Pant (27). The leg-spinner eventually dismissed Pant in the next over. Chakravarthy then removed Tristan Stubbs and Impact Player Kumar Kushagra, reducing DC to 111/8. The KKR spinner bagged figures worth 3/16 in four overs.
Chakravarthy dismisses Pant for third time
Chakravarthy dismissed Pant for the third time in the IPL. The latter was outfoxed in an attempt to take Chakravarthy to the cleaners. KKR skipper Shreyas Iyer took the catch at the cover region. Notably, Pant has managed just 31 runs off 30 balls against the KKR spinner. His average and strike rate reads 10.33 and 103.33.
Another economical spell from Narine
Sunil Narine's only wicket in the match came in the form of Axar Patel (15). He conceded 24 runs in four overs. Notably, Narine has now dismissed Axar thrice in the IPL. The left-handed batter has scored only 29 runs off 35 balls in this battle. Narine, who averages 9.66 against Axar, has restricted his strike rate to 82.85.
Narine takes his 69th IPL wicket at Eden Gardens
Narine now has the most wickets at a venue in the IPL. The KKR spinner owns 69 wickets from 58 IPL encounters at an average of 19.94 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. His economy rate reads 6.32. Narine has three four-wicket hauls and a fifer at this venue. Over the years, he has been pivotal to KKR's success, especially at Eden Gardens.
Most IPL wickets at a venue
Narine surpassed Lasith Malinga in terms of most IPL wickets at a venue. The latter took 68 scalps at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. Notably, Narine and Malinga are the only two bowlers with over 60 wickets in this regard.
Another blistering knock from Salt
Salt and Narine came out all guns blazing in a rather modest run-chase. Salt, who held the strike, displayed his array of strokes around the ground. The Englishman hammered a 33-ball 68 (7 fours and 5 sixes), completing his sixth IPL fifty. Interestingly, he was dropped in the second over off Khaleel Ahmed's bowling. Axar Patel eventually knocked over Salt with a peach.
Most runs at Eden Gardens in a season
Salt now has the most runs at Eden Gardens in an IPL season. He went past Sourav Ganguly's tally (331 runs in 2010). Notably, 344 of Salt's 392 runs in IPL 2024 have come at this venue in Kolkata. Each of his four half-centuries have been recorded here. Salt has a strike rate of 186.95 at Eden Gardens in IPL 2024.
Other feats attained by Salt
Salt was at his attacking best in the Powerplay, where KKR scored 79/0. He contributed with 60 runs in this phase, the most by a KKR batter within Powerplay in the IPL. His compatriot Narine earlier held this record (54 vs RCB, 2017). As per Cricbuzz, Salt now has 15 sixes in the Powerplay in IPL 2024, the third-most in this regard.
Shreyas, Venkatesh see KKR through
Days after scoring a match-winning 50 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Shreyas Iyer once again led KKR from the front. Salt strengthened KKR's run-chase before Shreyas and Venkatesh Iyer saw them through. DC reduced KKR to 100/3, but the duo denied them anymore wickets. Shreyas slammed a 23-ball 33*, tallying 3 fours and a six. Venkatesh also played his part well (26* off 23 balls).
Shreyas gets these records
During the match, Shreyas completed 5,500 runs in T20 cricket. Notably, 1,104 of his runs have come in 51 T20Is for India at an average of 30.66. Shreyas also raced to 3,000 runs in the IPL. He reached this landmark in his 110th match. He now owns 3,027 runs at an average and strike rate of 32.30 and 126.28. His tally includes 20 half-centuries.
Rinku Singh completes 2,500 T20 runs
The match also saw Rinku Singh complete 2,500 runs in T20 cricket. The left-hander, who came in at number three this time, was dismissed for 11. Rinku raced to 2,500 T20 runs in his 120th encounter. He made his debut in the format a decade ago during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The budding batter is known for his ability to finish games.
Other notable numbers
KKR have won eight of their 10 matches against DC at Eden Gardens in IPL history. As mentioned, Kuldeep chipped in with a crucial 35*(26) for DC. This is now the second-highest score batting at number nine or lower in the IPL. Axar stood out for DC with the ball. He took two wickets for just 25 runs in four overs.
IPL 2024 standings: KKR only behind RR
KKR have consolidated their second spot in the IPL 2024 standings. With 12 points (NRR: +1.096), they are only behind Rajasthan Royals (16 points). DC, having suffered their sixth defeat, own the sixth spot. They have 10 points so far (NRR: -0.442).
