During Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL 2024 opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Harshit Rana’s impressive delivery dismissed SRH opener Mayank Agarwal, prompting Rana to jubilantly send a flying kiss to the departing batsman.
In the high-octane clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) during the IPL 2024 opener, the spotlight shone brightly on Harshit Rana, the young pacer representing KKR. Rana, in his third season with the franchise, delivered a mesmerizing performance that left cricket fans buzzing.
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The pivotal moment came when Rana bowled a sensational delivery to dismiss SRH opener Mayank Agarwal. In the third delivery of the sixth over, Rana unleashed a fiery bouncer that had Mayank attempting a pull shot. However, the execution didn’t go as planned for Mayank, as he only managed to top-edge the ball towards the fielder stationed at deep backward square leg, resulting in a straightforward catch.
As Mayank trudged back to the pavilion, Rana couldn’t contain his jubilation. In a spontaneous display of celebration, he sent a flying kiss in the direction of the departing batsman.
While such celebrations are not uncommon in the high-energy atmosphere of T20 cricket, this particular gesture drew criticism from none other than Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar. Gavaskar, known for his no-nonsense approach to the game, expressed his disapproval, stating that such antics were unnecessary. He emphasized the importance of maintaining sportsmanship on the field and suggested that celebrations should be directed towards teammates rather than the opposition.
Despite the controversy surrounding Harshit Rana‘s celebration, the match continued with fervor. SRH, led by skipper Pat Cummins, had won the toss and opted to bowl first. KKR faced early setbacks in the first innings, losing wickets at regular intervals. However, opener Phil Salt’s gritty innings provided much-needed stability to the innings. Salt, who was in good form, notched up a crucial half-century, showcasing his ability to anchor the innings amidst the early collapse.
As the innings progressed, KKR found themselves in a precarious position at 51/4 in 7.3 overs. It was then that Ramandeep Singh stepped up to the plate, delivering a quickfire innings of 35 runs off just 17 balls. His aggressive batting injected momentum into KKR’s innings, offering hope for a respectable total. However, Salt’s dismissal soon followed, leaving the responsibility of steering the innings towards the end on the shoulders of Rinku Singh and Andre Russell.
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Rinku Singh played a cameo, contributing 23 runs off 15 balls before departing in the final over. However, it was Andre Russell who stole the show with a blistering knock. Russell’s unbeaten 64 runs off 25 balls, adorned with three fours and seven sixes, propelled KKR to a competitive total.
Reflecting on the innings, Phil Salt expressed satisfaction with his performance and acknowledged the challenges posed by the SRH bowling attack. He highlighted the importance of adapting to the pitch conditions and credited his teammates for their support under pressure.