KKR vs MI, 60th Match at Kolkata, IPL, May 11 2024 - Match Result

We've had enough suspense and building up, haven't we? It's time for answers. KKR have provided one today by romping to the playoffs. CSK vs RR and RCB vs DC will provide more on Super Sunday (that's later today, not tomorrow. Thanks, rain). Hope you join us too and that it's just as fun. Goodnight and goodbye for now.

Varun Chakravarthy, POTM: I'd never taken Rohit bhai's wicket, I'd meticulously planned and it came off. Plan was to make him hit across the line and not through the line. Narine and I do talk. Tactically we are different, technically we are similar. There are similarities. I see what we do well, where we are improving. Have done the same thing. Wickets were too flat initially. Mis-hits were going for six. I've been bowling the same, results are coming now.

Shreyas Iyer, KKR captain: I manifested before the game that we'd get through. We were playing fantastic cricket, boys have taken responsibility. There have many game-changers. The boys have shown great attitude and it was on display today. I feel the team that plays the best wins, we have a mindset to win from any situation. They were going great after the first six but we were great. Wasn't thinking about stats or records. Today was a new day and the weather wasn't great. We did well which is what's important. (On given Chakravarthy the 4th over and Harshit the final over) I feel which bowler is bowling better on the day is what better. Varun bowled awesome. It was difficult to play his leggies in the nets yesterday. Went with my guts and it came off.

Jay: "Varun C should be the POTM. Let's see"

Russell joins his team, who are doing a lap of honour, with a banner reading Thank you, Kolkata and a few flags.

Andre Russell: We batted first, knew it was sticky and that there was a bit for the spinners. Knew it was a good score with our spin attack. We knew there was a big boundary too and tried using it. Our bowlers have won it. (Getting SKY out again) I always enjoy the challenge. He's a fantastic player, 360 guy. Got the better of him tonight, hope it keeps going. I've just kept believing. The older and more experienced you get, cricket gets easier. You know your role better. I've kept fit. Gautam, coach and support staff have allowed me to go in at 12 and bat freely. I've been doing as much talking as much as I can. We have youngsters who want to learn, which makes it easier for seniors. We always have a group around us. This is the love and passion, which is why we're doing so well.

Hardik Pandya, MI captain:Tough one. As a batting unit, the foundation was there but we could not capitalise and that cost us. The wicket was tacky, so momentum was important but after that we couldn't capitalise. Their score was par, given the conditions I thought the bowlers did well. When the balls returned from the boundary, it hit the cover and was wet. They did well. It seemed par but was a winning total. Just want to go and enjoy, play good cricket. That's been the motto from the start but we haven't played enough good cricket.

"I didn't factor in KKR losing their last two," Rajesh adds. "If KKR lose their last two by around 50 runs each, SRH will have to win by a combined margin of 137 runs. so still almost impossible for KKR to miss out"

S Rajesh answers the big question - "SRH will have to win their last two by a combined margin of 300 runs if they score 200 in each game, to get past KKR's run rate. So KKR are pretty much assured of top two finish.

12:31am All smiles among KKR. Starc, Nitish Rana, Harshit Rana, Juhi Chawla and Suhana Khan even. It didn't seem likely when they lost the toss or early into the chase when Kishan was boshing it to all parts. But the spinners got grip and turn. And all of a sudden, it was a good toss to lose. Chakravarthy was the game-changer. When he and Narine came on, Kishan and Rohit tried attacking with reverse sweeps but found limited success. Kishan vs Narine was fascinating but also short. Narine went flat and fast to get his man. Rohit had slowed down and couldn't revive his innings and fell trying to sweep Chakravarthy. Once the spinners were done, Dre Russ came in and was effective with his wide stuff. Him getting SKY was huge. Wadhera and Tilak kept MI in the game despite the soaring asking rate. They came into the final over with 35 runs in the previous two overs but Harshit - picked to bowl instead of Starc - struck twice and finished the game off.

Tension's back

Harshit to bowl the last over, not Starc. 22 to defend

Fans getting amongst it again

Russell to bowl out. MI need 41 off the last two

Plan B - over the wicket

Mukund: "Good time for Starc to come in with MI struggling." Will be Harshit now. Starc might not need to bowl, not likely though. 57 needed off 18 btw. Around