KATHMANDU: In a thrilling opener of the Tata IPL 2024 season, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) held their nerves to secure a nail-biting victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

The match witnessed an exhilarating display of cricketing prowess from both sides, ultimately culminating in a sensational four-run win for KKR, courtesy of a magnificent final over bowled by Harshit Rana.

Andre Russell emerged as the hero for KKR with a scintillating all-round performance, smashing a blistering 64 off just 25 deliveries and also contributing with the ball, claiming two crucial wickets for 25 runs.

Despite a valiant effort from Heinrich Klaasen, whose whirlwind innings of 63 runs off 29 balls nearly steered SRH to victory, Rana’s exceptional bowling in the final over ensured KKR emerged victorious in a closely contested encounter.

Earlier in the match, KKR faced a daunting task after being put into bat by SRH captain Pat Cummins. However, Russell’s fireworks, along with valuable contributions from Ramandeep Singh (35 off 17) and Rinku Singh (23 off 15), propelled KKR to a formidable total of 208/7.

In response, SRH made a strong start with openers Mayank Agarwal and Abhishek Sharma laying a solid foundation, scoring 60 runs within the Powerplay. However, KKR fought back with timely breakthroughs, courtesy of Russell and Rana, to keep SRH in check.

Despite Klaasen’s heroics, supported by Shahbaz Ahmed’s late onslaught, SRH fell agonizingly short of the target, eventually finishing with 204/7 in their allotted 20 overs.

The match provided a thrilling start to the IPL 2024 season, setting the stage for an exciting tournament ahead. With both teams showcasing their firepower and resilience, fans can expect more gripping encounters in the days to come.