Kolkata Knight Riders successfully defended 21 runs in the final over to register a thrilling one-run victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2024 on Sunday. Things looked grim for under-pressure RCB after Andre Russell dismissed the in-form Dinesh Karthik on the final ball of the 19th over. However, Karn Sharma brought them back in the match after hitting three sixes against KKR’s Rs 24.75 crore buy Mitchell Starc. That was not the end of the drama as Starc dismissed Karn on the penultimate delivery of the over to hand KKR the advantage. RCB needed 3 runs to win in the last ball of the match but Lockie Ferguson was run out before competing the second run and RCB slumped to a narrow defeat.
A look at how the final over of the match unfolded –
19.1 – Starc’s first ball was pitched up full on the off-stump line and Karn Sharma rocked back into the crease and slammed it for a big six over deep backward point.
19.2 – Karn Sharma ended up getting an inside edge off the second delivery but the ball bounced just in front of wicket-keeper Phil Salt and the batter survived thanks to the replays.
19.3 – Karn Sharma added another six to his name as he read Starc’s line perfectly and slammed the delivery over deep extra cover for the second maximum of the over.
19.4 – 9 runs needed off 3 balls and Karn Sharma did it once again. Another delivery outside the off-stump and this time, the ball flew over deep backward point for the third six of the over.
19.5 – Mitchell Starc struck for KKR as Karn Sharma played the shot straight back at the bowler and the Australia international completed an impressive low catch to provide a crucial breakthrough for his team.
19.6 – 3 runs needed off the final ball and Lockie Ferguson and Mohammed Siraj started running as soon as the ball was played towards deep extra cover. Ramandeep Singh picked up the ball quickly and although the throw was not great, Phil Salt leapt to the stumps to take the bails off. Replays showed clearly that Ferguson was nowhere near the crease and KKR clinched a thrilling victory.
