Two former champions of the IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad, have been a shadow of themselves in recent years. After some big changes in the squad and backroom, this season looks different for both sides and their recent clash was an excellent preview of what we can look forward to.
Kolkata Knight Riders hosted Sunrisers Hyderabad on Eden Garden’s beautiful deck in their curtain raiser. The match exceeded all expectations and had everyone on their feet. The visitors asked the hosts to bat first on a crispy Kolkata wicket and it looked like a perfect decision as Kolkata were 51 for 4 wickets at the brink of 8 overs. With the help of Salt and Russelmania in the death overs, KKR posted a mammoth 208.
Afterwards, SRH started with flair at run rate of over 10 in the power play, Hyderabad’s chase was stymied by Chakaravarthy and Narine’s spin twins. Kolkata’s dugout seemed set for a convincing win with 75 needed in last four overs, but Henrich Klaasen had other ideas as he began his assault. Mitchell Starc was taken to cleaners by the South African dynamo and the equation was reduced to just five runs off two balls. With Sunrisers dugout feeling some joy, Harshit Rana came as clutch and took Kolkata to victory. 
Upon reflection, the game had it all, and there were five moments that defined it.
1. Ramandeep’s resurgence
The former Mumbai Indians all-rounder appeared in complete revenge mode when he entered the Eden Gardens at 50 for 4. Punjab’s power striker played a key role in countering Hyderabad’s spin attack which would have caused his partner Philip Salt problems. As a result of his quickfire 35 runs, the Punjab hard-hitter set up the launch pad for Russell, which helped KKR reach 208 runs.
2. Russellmania on song at Eden Gardens
For years, Andre Russell has been a big matchwinner, but in recent years his shine has faded. Upon arriving at Eden Gardens following an elaborate launchpad setup by Ramandeep, the Caribbean calypso brought back memories of his monsterous 2019 season. In just 25 balls, Russell scored 64 runs, pushing the score to 200, which seemed set for 170-180.
3. Cummins bad gamble with Markande
It appeared that Pat Cummins was on point throughout the game, but his gamble in the 16th over failed miserably. Kolkata were struggling at the end of the 15th over with 123 for 6 with Russell and Rinku on the crease. The Australian captain gave ball to Markande against Russell in an attempt to trap him in front of spin, but the Caribbean monster smoked three sixes, which kicked off the onslaught.
4. Harshit Rana’s opening spell
It seemed Hyderabad were in great shape during the chase when they scored 58 runs after end of five overs. The Delhi bowler trapped Mayank Agarwal in the deep with a sharp bouncer, halting Hyderabad’s run chase. Kolkata’s spinners came into play after the powerplay and choked Hyderabad’s middle order as a result of Rana’s breakthrough.
5. Harshit Rana’s clutch game in the final over
The Delhi pacer stayed calm and pulled off a heist from Kolkata’s end as the equation of 76 off 24 balls was scrapped to just 7 off five balls. It was all set for Kolkata to lose, but the Delhi pacer kept his nerves calm and pulled off the heist. Klaasen scored six with 13 needed off the last over, which appeared to mean Kolkata would lose in their first game. SRH needed five runs off the last two balls but Rana used his slower one to perfection, deceiving Klaasen on the second last ball game which gave victory to Kolkata.
After a thrilling encounter, both sides are up for an intriguing encounters. Kolkata travels to Bangalore to meet their arch rivals while Hyderabad hosts Mumbai Indians in Hyderabad. Hyderabad may have lost, but they have certainly indicated that this will not be the same scratchy year under new leadership of Cummins’.
