In the 31st match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) took on Rajasthan Royals (RR). The contest witnessed a thrilling finish as the game went down to the final over where the Royals eventually registered a memorable win by 2 wickets.
Sunil Narine hits his maiden century
After being asked to bat first, the Knight Riders put up a massive total of 223/6 in their allotted 20 overs. Opener Sunil Narine dazzled the Eden Gardens with an exceptional batting performance, scoring his first century in the league.
Trent Boult eventually dismissed Narine, but not before the opener amassed an impressive 109 runs from just 56 balls, including 13 fours and six sixes. His innings displayed remarkable confidence and skill against one of the strongest bowling attacks in the IPL.
KKR’s innings primarily centered around Narine’s heroics as he batted until the 18th over, forming key partnerships with Angkrish Raghuvanshi (30) for 85 runs and then with Andre Russell (13) for 51 runs. Later, Rinku Singh‘s unbeaten 20 off nine balls, including two sixes and one four, pushed the total past 200, as KKR scored 62 runs in the last five overs. Avesh Khan (2/35) and Boult (1/31) were the standout bowlers for the Royals. Kuldeep Sen (2/46) also took two wickets.
Jos Buttler’s stunning hundred takes Royals home
In their reply, the Royals successfully chased down the substantial target within the 20 overs. Jos Buttler delivered an outstanding century and carried the team single-handedly as the other batters couldn’t maintain their momentum for long. Buttler consistently kept the scoreboard moving with his powerful and strategic hitting.
Buttler produced an extraordinary century, dominating the KKR bowlers and achieving the unexpected. The English batsman scored an unbeaten 107 runs from just 60 balls, featuring 9 fours and 6 sixes, guiding his team to victory.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
JOS THE BOSS 🔥
— Sam Billings (@sambillings) April 16, 2024
Wow that’s a knock from Jos 😳🙌🏼 #IPL24
— Ben Duckett (@BenDuckett1) April 16, 2024
Jos Buttler is a genius. What a crazy innings
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) April 16, 2024
I am not getting over this. Ever.
🔥🔥🔥🔥#IPLonJioCinema #JosButtler #KKRvRR https://t.co/27GQFfx0WM
— Ridhima Pathak (@PathakRidhima) April 16, 2024
Jos Buttler was limping, he was exhausted, he was drained out, he did not celebrate his century.
– HIS GOAL WAS TO WIN IT FOR RR, HE DID IT… A FREAKING LEGEND! 🤯💥 pic.twitter.com/s54Yn8uLHh
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 16, 2024
Rajasthan Royals needed 96 runs from 36 balls, then:
15th over – 17 runs.
16th over – 17 runs.
17th over – 16 runs.
18th over – 18 runs.
19th over – 19 runs.
20th over – 9 runs.
Jos Buttler played one of the craziest knocks in the history of T20s. pic.twitter.com/McS7lCV0MS
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 16, 2024
Jos Buttler wins the game for the Royals
What a chase 🫡🔥#JosButtler #KKRvsRR #ipl2024 #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/zrHjuFFPCm
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) April 16, 2024
Wonderful knock! Buttler didn’t give up when he was struggling v spin. And then to play in the fashion v pace. And also with the tail… game-breaking innings.
Oh! Those humid conditions also seemed to be taking its toll.
— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) April 16, 2024
RR was almost gone tbh when Powell came into the crease. Buttler was not able to hit as well and all of a sudden just some magic happened.#RRvKKR #KKRvRR
— Abhi aks (@abhiaks9231) April 16, 2024
So close 🥺 🤏 pic.twitter.com/g9Wki7Udz0
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) April 16, 2024
Most centuries for Rajasthan Royals
7 – Jos Buttler
2 – Ajinkya Rahane
2 – Sanju Samson
2 – Shane Watson pic.twitter.com/f6C1qxW0BS
— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) April 16, 2024
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