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IPL 2021: KKR qualify for playoffs, to meet Virat Kohli-led RCB in Eliminator
Sunrisers Hyderabad openers stitched a 64-run partnership to deny Mumbai Indians any sniff as the defending champions needed to win by 171 runs.
Updated : Oct 09, 2021, 12:58 AM IST
 "Kolkata Knight Riders")
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Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) suddenly woke up from the ashes and decided to have fun at the business end of the tournament. After denying the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) a chance to qualify in the top two having beaten them in a thriller, the 2016 champions decided the fate of the defending champions Mumbai Indians as their openers smashed the Mumbai Indians bowlers to all around the park and amassed 70 runs in the powerplay and thus helped Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to qualify for the playoffs at the fourth place.
Hit if you never stopped believing#KKR #AmiKKR #KorboLorboJeetbo #আমিKKR #IPL2021 pic.twitter.com/2HlCtSdkZB
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) October 8, 2021
MI came out all guns blazing and their intent was spot on, even though they knew that 171-run win was almost an impossible task but they gave it their all. Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav, the two middle-order batters, who were so good for them in the last season didn't have a great run but came back to their respective forms, maybe too late for their franchise but just in time as far as Team India is concerned going into the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021.
Ishan played a sensational knock of 84 runs off just 32 balls and Surya followed it up with 80 runs and helped MI to get to their highest-ever total of 235 runs. But Jason Roy and Abhishek Sharma too gave them a taste of their own medicine and smashed their bowlers around the park stitched a 64-run partnership and ending their hopes inside the first six overs themselves.
For KKR, it was a massive boost as after missing out on a spot in the playoffs due to NRR in two consecutive seasons they finally focussed on it from the word go in the second half as they had three big wins, which helped them to get to the best NRR out of the eight teams on the table, along with a positive mindset and fearless attitude to win five out of seven games and deservedly qualify for the playoffs.
KKR will meat RCB in the Eliminator at Sharjah on Monday, October 11.
