KEY STORY
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After failing to qualify for the playoffs last season due to poor Net Run Rate (NRR), Eoin Morgan-led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) made a strong start in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 where the team defeated David Warner-led Sunrisers Hyderabad (KKR) by to start their new campaign on a positive note.
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What made the victory even more special for KKR was the fact that it was also the franchise’s 100th IPL win in the tournament.
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Bollywood superstar and co-owner of KKR, Shah Rukh Khan was delighted with the victory and he took to social media to congratulate his team after registering its 100th IPL win.
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“Good to hav our 100th IPL match win. Well done boys…@KKRiders @prasidh43 @DineshKarthik @NitishRana_27 #Rahul @Russell12A @harbhajan_singh ( good to see u even if briefly )@Sah75official @patcummins30 actually all were so good to watch,” Shah Rukh wrote on social media.
Good to hav our 100th IPL match win. Well done boys…@KKRiders @prasidh43 @DineshKarthik @NitishRana_27 #Rahul @Russell12A @harbhajan_singh ( good to see u even if briefly )@Sah75official @patcummins30 actually all were so good to watch.
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) April 11, 2021
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One of the most popular franchises in the tournament, KKR are two-time IPL champions, both their title triumphs coming under Gautam Gambhir.
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In the context of the match, after leaving out Windies all-rounder Sunil Narine, KKR looked like a more settled squad. Nitish Rana was promoted to open the innings for KKR – a move which paid rich dividends as the left-hander smashed a 56-ball 80 to help KKR post a challenging 187.
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Rana added 53 runs for the opening wicket with Shubman Gill and followed it with a 93-run stand for the second wicket with Rahul Tripathi. Dinesh Karthik’s 9-ball 22 helped KKR reach a respectable total, 187/6.
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In reply, SRH suffered a big blow early in their chase as Prasidh Krishna removed David Warner for 3. After Shakib removed Wriddhiman Saha, Jonny Bairstow and Manish Pandey brought Hyderabad’s innings back on track with a 92-run stand for the third wicket. However, KKR made a comeback in the match as a result of some disciplined bowling.
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Pandey remained unbeaten on 60 off 44 balls but SRH could not step up the tempo in the death overs. KKR will now take on defending champions Mumbai Indians in their next match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on April 13.
