IPL 2024: Kolkata Knight Riders’ 1st Innings Highlights against PBKS in Match 42

Sunil Narine and Phil Salt. (Photo Source: IPL)

In the 42nd match of the Indian Premier League 2024, Kolkata Knight Riders hosted the struggling Punjab Kings at the iconic Eden Gardens stadium in Kolkata. The visitors won the all-important clash today and opted to field first hoping that the dew will benefit him in the second innings. 

The one big change for the Kolkata Knight Riders was that their marquee signing Mitchell Starc missed out due to a minor injury and Dushmantha Chameera replaced him. Punjab Kings, on the other hand, brought back Rahul Chahar and Jonny Bairstow in the team instead of Liam Livingstone and Harpreet Singh Bhatia.

Powerplay : KKR – 76/0 – First Strategic Time Out

The Kolkata Knight Riders openers started their aggressive approach once again. Punjab Kings had the chance to dismiss Sunil Narine but Harpreet Brar dropped the chance in the 3rd over. Later on, in the 6th over, skipper Sam Curran also dropped a sitter and the chance to send Phil Salt back also went away. The power play ended on a great note for the hosts as they scored 76 runs after the first six overs.

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Middle Overs: – KKR – 169/2 – Second Strategic Time Out

Once again, Punjab Kings had the chance to dismiss Salt but the catch was as usual put down by Kagiso Rabada in the 7th over. The hosts reached the 100 mark inside 8 overs and it looked like the franchise had the foundation for a mammoth total. The openers completed the fifty in consecutive overs and wanted to convert their knock into a big one. 

Finally a wicket came for the visitors as the aggressive Sunil Narine was dismissed by Rahul Chahar and Jonny Bairstow completed the easy catch. Salt continued the aggressive approach but Sam Curran sent him back in the 13th over. West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell joined Venkatesh Iyer at the crease in order to take the innings forward. 

Kolkata Knight Riders reach 200 in 15.2 overs

The duo were able to continue with the same approach with which the openers batted. No bowler was spared today and with the death overs approaching, the hosts were looking good to post a score of above 275. Jitesh Sharma dropped the catch of the power-hitter Russell in the 16th over. However, on the next delivery itself Russell got out on a short delivery and it was caught by Harshal Patel.

Innings end: KKR – 261/6 in 20 overs

In a surprising turn of events, Shreyas Iyer came out to bat in the death overs. They could have sent the power-hitters above him depending on the match situation. But the move worked out as both the Iyers were finding the boundaries with ease. Arshdeep took another wicket as he sent back Shreyas Iyer, who scored 28 from 10 balls. Harshal Patel also sent back Rinku Singh in the final over but still, the side reached a massive score of 261/6 after 20 overs.