IPL 2020, KXIP vs KKR Highlights: Kolkata Knight Riders defeat Kings XI Punjab. IPL 2020, KXIP vs KKR Highlights: Kolkata Knight Riders pulled yet another rabbit out of the hat as they defeated Kings XI Punjab by two runs at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
After winning the toss and opting to bat, KKR huffed at the start losing two wickets early on. Shubman Gill’s 57 provided the foundation of the innings as Kolkata battled on. After Dinesh Karthik (58) came on at number five, the scenario changed as KKR scored a massive 63 runs in the final five overs to post 164/6 at the end of 20 overs.
In their chase, KXIP had an excellent start with both their openers — KL Rahul (74) and Mayank Agarwal (56) — partnering each other for 115 runs. But owing to Karthik’s captaincy, Prasidh and Narine’s bowling, KKR eked out a narrow win in the final over where Glenn Maxwell just fell short of inches near the boundary rope.
Match 24, Sheikh Zayed Stadium, 10 Oct, 2020
What a brilliant match, what a thrilling finish. After Mandeep's dismissal, the equation stood at 7 runs off the final ball. Glenn Maxwell gave it his all, but in the end, his massive hit fell short of inches near the boundary line... no Super Over for Punjab. They end the innings on 162/5. On the other hand, Kolkata pull yet another rabbit out of the hat as they win by two runs.
WOW! Kolkata have come up with another Houdini act. Prasidh Krishna bowls out Rahul for 74! KXIP need 14 off 6 balls now.
The complexion of the match has changed its colours like a chameleon here, as Kolkata scalp another wicket. Simran Singh tried to go long to help his team out, but Prasidh gets the wicket. Rana with the catch. Next up, Maxwell. KXIP: 149/3 (18.4 overs)
The Carribbean connection works in Kolkata's favour! Narine comes in and provides a late, late hope by dismissing the dangerous Pooran on 16. Pooran came out aggressively, left his stumps exposed and bowled! 21 off 16 now. KXIP: 144/2 (17.2 overs)
Punjab have nine wickets in hand, a settled Rahul (68*), and an explosive Pooran (11*) in the middle... and they continue with the blitzkrieg. Both of them hit Nagarkoti brutishly -- two fours and a six -- and score 19 off the over. KXIP: 136/1 (16 overs)
Kolkata's desperation comes to an end! The KXIP openers were on a brilliant partnership and breaking it will go a long way. Agarwal goes long on the leg-side but Prasidh's ball is caught by Gill. He is dismissed for 56. Rahul's on 58*. KXIP: 115/1 (14.2 overs)
Agarwal (49*) upped the ante in the last over against Nagarkoti hitting two boundaries, but it falls flat a bit in the next as Chakravarthy restricts him for singles. Agarwal has other plans though... ends the over with a four. KXIP: 94/0 (12 overs)
Both Rahul (41*) and Agarwal (34*) are taking it nice and slowly, knowing that a lot of the responsibility rests on their shoulders. Karthik though has reasons to worry right now as they are quite settled now. Kolkata need a wicket now. KXIP: 76/0 (10 overs)
Kolkata have introduced their spin pair right after the powerplay looking for a wicket. After Chakravarthy went for seven runs in his over, Narine goes for eight runs after Agarwal hit a lucky boundary towards the vacant fine third man region. KXIP: 62/0 (8 overs)
After Rahul (26*) joined the party with a four in the previous over against Cummins, he continues his deadly showing against the incoming Nagarkoti. After a three, he slots the ball to deep mid-wicket with elegance for a four. KXIP: 47/0 (6 overs)
Agarwal (17*) gets it going as he punishes Prasidh left, right and centre. First with a brilliant boundary, almost a half-volley, and then a straight drive through Rahul's legs. He finishes the over with a maximum over deep extra cover. KXIP: 28/0 (4 overs)
Prasidh Krishna, who has replaced Mavi, comes in for the second over. He comes close to nabbing a wicket of Rahul but Russell miscues the catch and it goes for a four. Chris Green is on for the injured Russell. Five runs off the over. KXIP: 8/0 (2 overs)
KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal are at the crease. Pat Cummins has the ball and he gives Kolkata a good start. Both the openers can only deal in singles. Punjab need their Orange Cap competitors to be in form this afternoon for a victory. KXIP: 3/0 (1 over)
A whirlwind knock from skipper Dinesh Karthik (58) helps Kolkata finish on a decent score of 164/6 after having a horrible start to the innings. Shubman Gill's 57 provided the foundation of the innings in the opening ten overs. Punjab will be ruing their chances to stagger Kolkata as they gave away a massive 63 runs in the last five overs. KXIP now need to chase 165 to win the match.
What a big wicket! Arshdeep Singh has a story book ending after conceding a boundary with his first ball. Good length, Russell swings wildly, gets an edge and it's caught behind by Simran Singh. Pat Cummins is up next. KKR: 150/5 (18.2 overs)
Punjab bounce back with a dismissal! Another run-out appeal, another attempted second run, and Shubman Gill is clearly short now. Good work from Mandeep and Simran Singh. The batsman departs on 57. On comes Russell. KKR: 145/4 (17.5 overs)
After punishing Jordan with two fours and a six, Karthik takes on Shami and it's the same story. Finds the gap and goes for a four. He brings up his fifty on the next ball, 53* off 22 balls, hitting seven fours and two sixes. That's a captain's innings there, helping his team score big after suffering an early blow. KKR have now scored 68 runs in the last 4.3 overs. KKR: 144/3 (17.3 overs)
Karthik (28*) has found his groove as he takes on the economical Arshdeep. After a brilliant boundary off a short ball, the KKR skipper drives yet another delivery over cover before ending the over with another four. 14 runs off the over. KKR: 115/3 (16 overs)
After Mujeeb was slain for 16 runs, Gill now reaches his milestone against Bishnoi as he brings up his fifty off 42 balls, hitting five boundaries. He then brings up the 100 for his team and now Kolkata looks to have some momentum. KKR: 101/3 (15 overs)
So far, the surface in Abu Dhabi has been quite ruthless for the batsmne, acting up a bit. Gill (37*) is bearing a huge responsibility now as it all depends on him to bat to the end with Karthik (4*) still trying to find his feet. Punjab in frontfoot. KKR: 75/3 (13 overs)