Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured their third consecutive victory in the Indian Premier League 2024 (IPL), triumphing over the Delhi Capitals (DC) by a remarkable 106 runs in the 16th match of the ongoing season. This victory marks KKR’s first win against DC in three years, their previous triumph dating back to 2021.
Played at the Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday, Kolkata won the toss, opted to bat first, and set a formidable target of 272 runs for 7 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. This score not only stands as the second-highest in IPL history but also marks Kolkata’s personal best in the league. Kolkata achieved the milestone of reaching 100 runs in just 7.3 overs, becoming the fastest team to do so in IPL 2024. In response, Delhi Capitals were dismissed for 166 runs in 17.2 overs.
Sunil Narine was the star performer for KKR, blasting 85 runs off just 39 balls, including 7 fours and 7 sixes, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi contributed with a brisk 54 off 27 balls. Andre Russell added to the onslaught with 41 runs off 19 balls, and Rinku Singh chipped in with a quickfire 26 off just 8 balls. Anrich Nortje and Ishant Sharma led the bowling attack for KKR, claiming three and two wickets respectively. For DC, skipper Rishabh Pant and Tristan Stubbs scored half-centuries, with Varun Vakvarthy and Vaibhav Arora picking up three wickets each.
The match showcased an exceptional display of power-hitting, underscoring the electrifying atmosphere of IPL 2024. Just a week after SunRisers Hyderabad posted a record-breaking total of 277, Kolkata Knight Riders came tantalizingly close to chasing it down, ultimately finishing with an imposing total of 272. The trio of Sunil Narine, 18-year-old Angkrish Raghuvanshi, and Andre Russell dismantled the Delhi bowling attack, propelling Kolkata to their highest-ever IPL total.
This season of IPL has witnessed unparalleled batting fireworks, with two teams posting scores exceeding 250, a feat never before achieved in a single IPL season. The record-breaking performances of SunRisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Royal Challengers Bangalore highlight the extraordinary talent and entertainment value of the IPL.
Highest Team Totals in IPL History:
SunRisers Hyderabad – 277 for 3 vs Mumbai Indians in Hyderabad in 2024
Kolkata Knight Riders – 272 for 7 vs Delhi Capitals in Visakhapatnam in 2024
Royal Challengers Bangalore – 263 for 5 vs Pune Warriors in Bengaluru in 2013
