KKR must give something to Harshit Rana for his final over heroics: Sunil Gavaskar

Legendary India captain, Sunil Gavaskar, showered praise on Harshit Rana for the final over heroics in the IPL 2024 clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 23. Harshit claimed a three-wicket haul and also defended 13 runs in the last over of the second innings and guided KKR to a thrilling wicket by a margin of four runs.

Meanwhile, Andre Russell emerged as the Player of the Match for his all-round performance during the clash. Gavaskar stated that Russell may have been adjudged for the POTM but Harshit also deserved something for his clever death bowling. 

"Fantastic. He totally learned from that first ball he bowled; it was a quicker delivery, and it was pulled for a six by Klaasen. The next five deliveries, he took the pace off, bowled those slow cutters, slower off-cutters, which actually meant that there was no pace coming off the surface for the batters to play the big shot. So fantastic over, absolutely top class over from Harshit Rana. I think they gave Russell for his 2 wickets and 64 the player of the match, but they must also give something to Harshit Rana for his spell and particularly for that last over," Gavaskar told Star Sports.

Also read: 'This is your moment buddy' - Shreyas Iyer's message to Harshit Rana ahead of last over in KKR-SRH tie

KKR register first win in IPL 2024 defeating SRH by four runs

Opener Phil Salt (54 off 40) got KKR off to a solid start after being put to bat first. Meanwhile, Andre Russell exhibited his batting prowess, scoring an unbeaten 64 off just 25 deliveries to help his side post a mammoth 208 runs, batting down the order. T Natarajan and Mayank Markande were the pick of bowlers for SRH, who claimed three and two wickets, respectively.

Also read: 'Got nothing to do with anyone coming in KKR' - Sunil Gavaskar rubbishes 'Gautam Gambhir claim' behind Andre Russell's success

SRH's opening duo of Mayank Agarwal and Abhishek Sharma got the side off to a sensational start, forging a 60-run stand. Harshit Rana and Andre Russell then struck successively and reduced the Pat Cummins-led side to 71 for two. However, Heinrich Klaasen (63) then led SRH's charge but failed to cross the line in the final over.