Kolkata, Apr 3 (UNI) Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) registered a thumping 80-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in their IPL clash at Eden Gardens on Thursday.
A dominant batting performance, spearheaded by Venkatesh Iyer (60 off 29) and Angkrish Raghuvanshi (50 off 32), powered KKR to a formidable 200/6, before their bowlers dismantled SRH for 120 in 16.4 overs.
Put into bat, KKR overcame early setbacks with Iyer leading the charge. His blistering knock, studded with seven fours and three sixes, put the Hyderabad bowlers under immense pressure. Raghuvanshi played a composed innings, anchoring the middle order, while Rinku Singh’s late cameo (32* off 17) ensured the hosts crossed the 200-run mark.
Ajinkya Rahane contributed a crucial 38 off 27 balls, steadying the innings after early dismissals. KKR openers Quinton de Kock (1) and Sunil Narine (7) fell cheaply, while Rahane was undone by a reverse sweep attempt against Zeeshan Ansari. Raghuvanshi, after being dropped on 43, capitalised to complete his half-century before being dismissed by Kamindu Mendis.
SRH’s bowling unit had a mixed outing, with Harshal Patel (1/43), Pat Cummins (1/44), and Mohammed Shami (1/29) among the wickets. However, lapses in fielding and expensive spells from Simarjeet Singh (0/47) cost them dearly.
In response, SRH crumbled under KKR’s disciplined bowling attack. Travis Head departed for 4 off the second ball, caught by Harshit Rana off Vaibhav Arora. Abhishek Sharma (2) and Ishan Kishan (2) followed in quick succession, leaving SRH reeling at 9/3 inside three overs. Nitish Kumar Reddy (19) and Kamindu Mendis (27) attempted to steady the innings, but Andre Russell and Sunil Narine struck at crucial moments.
Varun Chakaravarthy (3/22) was the chief architect of SRH’s collapse, picking up key wickets including Pat Cummins (14) and Simarjeet Singh (0) in successive deliveries. Russell (2/21) also played a vital role, claiming Harshal Patel (3) to end the match.
Heinrich Klaasen showed some resistance with a 21-ball 33, striking two fours and two sixes, but his dismissal at 112/7 effectively sealed SRH’s fate. The lower order failed to provide any support as SRH folded for 120 in 16.4 overs. Vaibhav Arora (3/29) and Harshit Rana (1/15) in three overs also bowled well, ensuring a comprehensive victory for KKR.
With this win, KKR solidified their position in the points table with four points from four matches, while SRH languish at the bottom with just two points from four games.
SRH will face Gujarat Titans on April 6, while KKR will take on LSG on April 8. UNI BDN SSP