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The third match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 between formidable Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) lived up to its expectations and witnessed a spectacle of aggression, excellence, and controversy.
A match filled with intense drama
In a high-octane encounter that saw both teams surpassing the 200-run mark, it was Kolkata Knight Riders who emerged victorious by a razor-thin margin of 4 runs. While Andre Russell‘s blitzkrieg performance earned him the Player of the Match accolade, it was Harshit Rana‘s final over that truly turned the tide in Kolkata’s favour.
Harshit’s precision bowling in the final over left the Sunrisers Hyderabad batters floundering, unable to muster the runs needed for victory. However, it wasn’t just his bowling prowess that grabbed headlines but also the controversial send-off he gave Mayank Agarwal, which has now ignited a storm on social media and has become the talk of the town.
Phil Salt and Andre Russell’s heroics
Winning the toss and opting to bowl first, Sunrisers Hyderabad hoped to contain the Knight Riders’ formidable batting lineup. Nevertheless, a solid start by Philip Salt, accompanied by Andre Russell‘s explosive innings (64 runs off 25 balls), propelled Kolkata to a daunting total of 208/7 in their allotted 20 overs.
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Heinrich Klaasen’s effort in vain as Harshit Rana seals the deal for KKR
In response, the Sunrisers launched a spirited chase led by Heinrich Klaasen‘s blistering knock of 63 runs off just 29 deliveries. However, tight bowling from Harshit and Russell kept them in check, ultimately falling short by a narrow margin.
Harshit’s fiery ‘flying kiss’ send-off to Mayank Agarwal
Harshit’s contribution with the ball was pivotal, claiming three crucial wickets including that of Mayank. However, it was the manner of Mayank’s dismissal that stirred controversy. In the sixth over, Harshit delivered a beamer that resulted in Mayank’s wicket, after which Harshit’s provocative celebration stole the limelight. The bowler’s flying kiss towards the batter sparked a heated exchange, drawing criticism from fans and pundits alike.
Here’s the video:
Sealed with a kiss 🫣
Watch #KKRvSRH with #IPLonJioCinema now in Bengali 🤩#TATAIPL #IPL2024 #JioCinemaSports pic.twitter.com/w2mf87HVa0
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) March 23, 2024
Harshit fined for his antics
While Harshit’s exuberance added drama to the match, it also led to repercussions as he was fined 60% of his match fee for his over-the-top celebration. The incident served as a reminder of the fine line between passion and sportsmanship in the game of cricket.
