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Twitter reactions: Varun Chakravarthy, Venkatesh Iyer shine as KKR locks playoff spot after defeating MI | IPL 2024

May 11, 2024
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Varun Chakravarthy and Venkatesh Iyer

In Match 60 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squared off against Mumbai Indians (MI) and ultimately defeated them by the margin of 18 runs in the rain affected encounter at the Eden 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 Bumrah 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:

Also WATCH: KKR fan gives an emotional tribute to team’s mentor Gautam Gambhir | IPL 2024

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May 12, 2024 at 12:52AM
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