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TATA IPL 2024: KKR beats SRH by 4 runs with Rana's final over heroics, Klassen scores 63
In a thrilling showdown at the Eden Gardens, Harshit Rana delivered an outstanding final over, putting a halt to Heinrich Klassen's explosive innings of 63 runs off just 29 balls. This pivotal moment ensured Kolkata Knight Riders secured a narrow yet exhilarating four-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in Match 3 of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL).
The match concluded with an unforgettable last-ball finish, as Heinrich Klassen nearly single-handedly propelled SRH from the brink of defeat to the cusp of victory before Rana intervened. Starting at 60 runs required from 18 balls, Klassen and Shahbaz Ahmed swiftly accumulated 21 and 26 runs respectively in the following two overs, reducing the target to 13 runs off six balls. Their exceptional batting display saw them accumulate 81 runs in the final five overs, igniting excitement among spectators with their remarkable strokeplay.
Klassen hammered Rana for a six off the first delivery and with seven needed off five balls, conceded a single and sent back Shahbaz Ahmed, caught by Shreyas Iyer to pull things back for KKR. But it was still SRH's match to lose as Marco Jansen took a single and gave Klassen the strike to hammer a six-and-seal victory. Suyash Sharma pulled off a superb catch at short third to dismiss Klassen as Kolkata Knight Riders sealed a nerve-wracking victory.
Despite SRH's valiant effort in their chase, ending their 20 overs on 204/7, they fell agonizingly short by just four runs. KKR had set a formidable target of 208/7, anchored by an unbeaten 64 off 25 balls from Andre Russell and a solid 54 contributed by Phil Salt. This formidable total was posted after Pat Cummins won the toss and elected for KKR to bat first on a pitch that appeared conducive to high-scoring encounters.
Chasing a mammoth target, Sunrisers Hyderabad made a good start with Mayank Agarwal and Abhishek Sharma raising 60 runs for the opening wicket partnership. SRH scored 65 runs in the Power-play for the loss of Agarwal as they started cautiously and reached 50 off 43 balls. Agarwal was the first to go, hitting a short delivery to Rinku Singh off Harshit Rana for 32 off 21 balls.
Abhishek Sharma too made 32 off 19 balls before he was caught by Varun Chakravarthy off Andre Russell. Rahul Tripathi (20 off 20), Aiden Markram (18 off 13) and Abdul Samad (15 off 11) got starts but could not convert them into big scores as Kolkata Knight Riders used the short ball well. In the field, they pulled off some good catches as they were reduced to 145/5 in the 17th over.
But Heinrich Klaasen struck a barrage of sixes and along with Shahbaz Ahmad launched an unlikely charge towards victory as SRH nearly pulled off the fourth-highest successful run chase in IPL history. With 60 needed off the last three overs, Klaasen hammered two sixes off Varun Chakravarthy and Shjahbaz helped himself to one six as they scored 21 runs off the 18th over.
In the following over, Klassen launched two massive sixes off Mitchell Starc in the midwicket area and another over cover, while Shahbaz aggressively dispatched the Australian paceman over deep backward square, accumulating 26 runs in total. This left SRH requiring 13 runs from the final six deliveries. Klaasen started the over with a powerful six off Harshit Rana's bowling, but Rana ultimately had the final say, dismissing Shadab Ahmed and Klassen and securing a thrilling four-run win for the Kolkata Knight Riders.
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