The Indian Premier League (IPL) is renowned for its thrilling matches, but the 31st match of the 2024 season between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) at Eden Gardens will be remembered as one of the most exhilarating. This match saw not only individual brilliance but also a historic team effort, particularly from Rajasthan Royals who executed the highest successful chase ever in IPL history.

KKR’s Innings Overview

KKR opened their innings with Phil Salt and Sunil Narine. Despite losing Salt early, Narine took the game by storm. His aggressive batting not only stabilized KKR’s innings but also set a monumental target.

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KKR got off to a good start despite losing Phil Salt early as they raced to 56/1 in the Power-play thanks mainly to West Indies dasher Sunil Narine and young Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who was promoted to the No.3 position and made it count with an 18-ball 30. KKR reached 101/1 at the halfway stage.

But they lost a couple of wickets in quick succession, Raghuvanshi returning to the dugout after adding 85 runs for the second-wicket partnership with Narine. 

From 106/2, KKR slumped to 133/3 as skipper Shreyas Iyer was trapped LBW by Chahal. But the setbacks did not matter much for Sunil Narine as the West Indies allrounder continued with his power-hitting, hammering shots around the ground as he raced to his century off 49 balls.

Highest Successful run chase in IPL History

Narine’s Knock

Sunil Narine, known for his explosive batting, outdid himself by scoring a breathtaking 109 off 56 balls. His innings was adorned with 13 boundaries and six maximums, making him the third KKR player to score a century in the IPL and the first to do so at Eden Gardens.

RR’s Rocky Start

On a vibrant Tuesday evening, the stage was set at Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens. With the pitch looking favorable for batting, anticipation was high among the cricketing fraternity. Rajasthan Royals, led by Sanju Samson, were put into the field after losing the toss, setting the scene for a high-voltage encounter.

Chasing a formidable target of 224, RR had a less than ideal start. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson departed early, putting pressure on the middle order.

As RR struggled to find rhythm, KKR tightened their grip with strategic bowling changes. Harshit Rana and Sunil Narine picked crucial wickets, making the chase even more challenging.

The thirteenth over brought a surge for KKR as spinner Varun Chakravarthy clinched the wickets of R Ashwin and Shimron Hetmeyer on consecutive deliveries. Ashwin managed 8 runs off 11 balls before departing without scoring, while Hetmeyer was sent back for a duck.

Amidst falling wickets, Jos Buttler was a pillar of strength for RR. His calculated aggression and keen eye helped him notch up a fifty in just 36 balls, keeping RR in the hunt.

Narine continued his dominance, grabbing his second wicket by dismissing Rovman Powell in the 17th over. Powell had scored a promising 26 runs off 13 balls before his dismissal.

In the 18th over, RR suffered the loss of their eighth wicket as Trent Boult was run-out. Despite wickets falling steadily from the other end, opener Jos Buttler remained resolute. With remarkable composure, Buttler not only reached his century but did so in spectacular fashion, smashing a ton off just 55 balls. The English batter anchored the innings, staying unbeaten at 107 runs, guiding his team to a thrilling 2-wicket victory.

The Winning Moment

In a nail-biting finish, Buttler’s unbeaten 107 off 60 balls guided RR to a historic two-wicket victory. His innings was not just about the runs but the hope it instilled in his team.

Most runs added after the fall of 6th wicket in a successful IPL
run-chase
103 – RR vs KKR, Kolkata, 2024
91 – RCB vs GL, Bengaluru, 2016 Q1
85 – CSK vs MI, Mumbai WS, 2018
78 – CSK vs SRH, Mumbai WS, 2018 Q1
76 – DC vs GL, Kanpur, 2017

Most individual hundreds in an IPL match
2 – RCB vs GL, Bengaluru, 2016
2 – SRH vs RCB, Hyderabad, 2019
2 – SRH vs RCB, Hyderabad, 2023
2 – RCB vs GT, Bengaluru, 2023
2 – RR vs RCB, Jaipur, 2024
2 – KKR vs RR, Kolkata, 2024

100 and wicket(s) in an IPL match
107 & 3/21 – Chris Gayle (RCB) vs PBKS, Bengaluru, 2011
175* & 2/5 – Chris Gayle (RCB) vs PWI, Bengaluru, 2013
104* & 2/38 – Shane Watson (RR) vs KKR, Brabourne, 2015
106 & 1/13 – Shane Watson (CSK) vs RR, Pune, 2018
109 & 2/30 – Sunil Narine (KKR) vs RR, Kolkata, 2024

IPL Points Table 2024