Image Source: Twitter – IPL
[Saba Sports News] In a display of sheer batting dominance at Visakhapatnam, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) unleashed havoc against Delhi Capitals (DC), securing the second-highest total ever in IPL history. The onslaught began with Sunil Narine and was ferociously carried on by the rest of the lineup, sparing no quarter to the DC bowlers.
Setting a formidable foundation, KKR’s decision to elevate Andre Russell higher up the order paid dividends. Against a backdrop of a batter-friendly Vizag pitch, Russell unleashed a torrent of hits, contributing a rapid 41 off 19 balls, including three sixes and four fours. KKR was on the brink of surpassing the highest IPL team total of 277, set recently by Sunrisers Hyderabad, needing just 14 runs in the final over.
However, Ishant Sharma’s perfectly executed yorker dashed those hopes, removing Russell with a delivery that demolished the stumps before Russell could react. Russell’s acknowledgment of Sharma’s skill exemplified true sportsmanship.
The formidable duo of Phil Salt and Narine gave KKR a flying start, with Narine smashing a fifty in just 21 balls by the end of the Powerplay. Narine’s aggressive play, coupled with debutant Angkrish Raghuvanshi’s swift 54 off 27 balls, overwhelmed DC. Although Mitchell Marsh ended Narine’s destructive innings in the 13th over, the groundwork for a monumental total had been laid.
KKR finished with a staggering 272/7, narrowly missing out on the record for the highest total but still etching their name in the history books with the league’s second-highest score. This batting spectacle not only showcased individual brilliance but also set the stage for a memorable finish in the high-scoring affair.