Capitalizing on twirling half-centuries from Phil Salt and Sunil Narine, Kolkata Knight Riders posted a mammoth total of 261/6 against the Punjab Kings at the Eden Gardens on Friday (April 26).
Asked to bat first, KKR got off to a flying start with Narine and Salt going full throttle from the start. At the end of the power play, KKR had reached 76 for 0. In the eighth over, Narine completed his fifty in just 23 balls before Salt completed his fifty in just 25 balls in the ninth over.
The duo added 138 runs for the first wicket in just 62 balls. Rahul Chahar brought the breakthrough in the 11th over by dismissing Narine, giving PBKS the much-needed first breakthrough. Salt didn’t last long after Narine’s departure and were bowled cleanly by PBKS captain Sam Curran in the 13th over. The England star scored 75 runs from just 37 balls with six fours and six sixes.
After the opener’s departure, the likes of Venkatesh Iyer (39), Andre Russell (24) and Shreyas Iyer (28) made crucial appearances to take KKR to a total of over 260 for the second time in IPL 2024. KKR also broke the record for the highest T20 total at Eden Gardens. This is the fifth time in eight games this season that KKR have crossed the 200-run mark.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to KKR’s innings:
When KKR plays this well on a regular basis, it warms my heart… it’s like seeing my child doing well.
We deserve this after these dark times β₯οΈ pic.twitter.com/v3MC23u4VR
β ππ°πΆπ³ (@notsourlmao) April 26, 2024
History was made in the Eden Gardens! π€―
KKR posted the highest total in T20 cricket history (261/6) at the Eden Gardens. π₯΅π₯#KKR #KKRvPBKS #IPL2024 #TATAIPL2024 pic.twitter.com/ZMI2aPNU07
β Sabir Zafar (@Sabir_Saabu01) April 26, 2024
At the start of the season, KKR’s 261 would have been the second highest score in the IPL. Today it doesn’t make it into the top 5
β Abhimanyu Bose (@bose_abhimanyu) April 26, 2024
261 runs in just 20 overs – and that is only the sixth highest score this season.
Just another day in IPL 2024.#PBKSvsKKR
β Nikhil Naz (@NikhilNaz) April 26, 2024
I am a little grateful to KKR for doing so much to ensure that PBKS stays in the points table with RCB.
β Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) April 26, 2024
KKR scores 261 points and it is still only the 6th highest team score this season π #KKRvPBKS
β Shubh Aggarwal (@shubh_chintak) April 26, 2024
Phil Salt is on fire this IPL! Serious all-format player now
β Sam Billings (@sambillings) April 26, 2024
Phil Salt & Sunil Narine during the power play in every game. π#KKRvPBKS
β Cheemrag (@itxcheemrag) April 26, 2024
What Salt and Narine did with PBKS today pic.twitter.com/dyTsN516ce
β Pakchikpak Raja Babu (@HaramiParindey) April 26, 2024
A captaincy strike from Shreyas Iyer. In the last game, when KKR needed an anchor, Shreyas scored 50 (35) and ensured KKR crossed the 200 mark.
And when KKR needed a cameo from him tonight, he batted 16th and scored 28 (10).
Well done captain, I hope all KKR fans like thisππ pic.twitter.com/h3Lzs4zNhq
β Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) April 26, 2024
With 261 runs on the board, KKR will look to win the game and cement their place in the top two of the IPL 2024 points table. With five wins from seven games, they are currently in second place in the table. Another win will bring them even closer to the playoff spot.
PBKS, on the other hand, will have to come up with something extraordinary to pull off the highest chase in IPL history. With just two wins from eight games, PBKS is currently in ninth place in the points table and another loss will all but destroy their slim playoff chances.