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In a high-stakes clash at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) orchestrated a magnificent victory against Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.
Epic showdown at Wankhede: KKR’s triumph over MI
The intensity of the battle surged in Match 51 of the tournament on Friday (May 3), as KKR, despite facing initial setbacks, staged a remarkable comeback, clinching a vital 24 runs win. This triumph not only propelled KKR closer to a coveted playoffs spot but also pushed MI to a daunting 9th position in the league table. Notably, KKR’s triumph marked a significant milestone, breaking a 12 years drought at the formidable Wankhede Stadium.
Gautam Gambhir’s delight
Gautam Gambhir, the former captain of KKR and the team’s current mentor, expressed his elation on X, commending his players for their exceptional performance that not only turned the tide in the game but also at the historic venue. Gambhir’s jubilant tweet encapsulated the team’s collective effort in breaking a longstanding jinx at the Wankhede Stadium.
“Turning the tide after 12 yrs at Wankhede! Beautifully done boys!,” the post reads.
Turning the tide after 12 yrs at Wankhede! Beautifully done boys! pic.twitter.com/FYEzRRehiY
— Gautam Gambhir (Modi Ka Parivar) (@GautamGambhir) May 3, 2024
Also READ: IPL 2024: Fans thrilled to see Janhvi Kapoor sporting a ‘Mahi’ jersey at the MI vs KKR match.
KKR’s resilience
Meanwhile in the match, KKR chose to bat first, weathering early batting challenges. However, resilient knocks from Venkatesh Iyer and Manish Pandey, scoring 70 and 42 runs respectively, steered the two-time champions to a respectable SCORE of 169 runs in the first innings. Subsequently, Mitchell Starc‘s exceptional bowling prowess wreaked havoc on Mumbai’s batting lineup, claiming a formidable four-wicket haul and restricting them to 145 runs.
IPL 2024 standings
With an impressive record of seven wins and three losses in ten matches, KKR currently holds the coveted second spot in the standings with 14 points, trailing only behind table-toppers Rajasthan Royals (RR) by a mere two points. Conversely, MI endured their eighth loss of the season in this enthralling encounter, finding themselves languishing in the ninth position with three wins and eight losses in 11 matches.