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The 36th match of the 2024 IPL season witnessed a nail-biting finish at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) emerged victorious by a narrow margin of just one run in a heart-stopping encounter against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
Batting first, KKR unleashed a barrage of boundaries and sixes. Phil Salt, the wicketkeeper-batsman, set the tone with a blistering 48 off just 14 balls. His audacious stroke play left the RCB bowlers shell-shocked. Sunil Narine and Angkrish Raghuvanshi chipped in, but it was Shreyas Iyer’s commanding half-century (50 off 36 balls) that anchored the innings.
As the innings progressed, KKR’s Andre Russell took center stage. His explosive hitting, combined with Ramandeep Singh’s late flourish, propelled KKR to a formidable total of 222/6 in their allotted 20 overs. The crowd erupted, sensing an exhilarating contest ahead.
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RCB’s chase began with a bang. Will Jacks and Devdutt Padikkal attacked the KKR bowlers, scoring at a rapid pace. Virat Kohli’s controversial dismissal added drama, but Faf du Plessis kept the momentum going. The required run rate climbed, but RCB remained in the hunt.
With 21 runs required off the final over bowled by Mitchell Starc, the match seemed destined to end in a KKR victory. However, veteran leg-spinner Karn Sharma had other plans. He smashed three sixes in a row off Starc, raising hopes of an improbable RCB win.
As the final ball approached, RCB needed two runs to win. Karn Sharma swung hard, aiming for the boundary. But fate intervened. The ball raced to the deep, and KKR’s fielders scrambled. In a heart-stopping moment, Phil Salt collected the ball and fired it to the stumps. Karn Sharma, diving desperately, fell inches short. The bails flew, and KKR celebrated a nail-biting victory by one run.
The drama reached its peak with the equation down to three runs needed off the last ball. Karn Sharma attempted a risky second run, but a sharp throw from KKR wicket-keeper Phil Salt and a diving effort at the non-striker’s end by Andre Russell resulted in a crucial run-out. RCB fell short by a solitary run, leaving their players and fans heartbroken.
The KKR vs RCB clash will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most thrilling encounters of the 2024 IPL season. The match showcased the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket, where a single over can change the course of the game. It was a night of outstanding individual performances, dramatic twists, and ultimately, a nail-biting victory for the Kolkata Knight Riders.
The KKR vs RCB clash provided a night of high voltage entertainment for cricket fans. It was a reminder that sometimes, even in a high-scoring format like T20, a single run can make all the difference between victory and defeat. The IPL 2024 season promises more such nail-biting encounters as the race for the playoffs intensifies.
