On the back of a brilliant 116 runs partnership for the opening wicket between KL Rahul and Chris, Kings XI crush Kolkata Knight Riders by 9 wickets via D/L method in the 18th match of IPL played at Eden Garden’s, Kolkata. Winning the toss, Ashwin bowled first. Despite Lynn 74, Kolkata Knight Riders were restricted to 191. While chasing 192, KL Rahul and Chris Gayle smashed the KKR bowlers.
Kings XI Punjab won the toss and elected to bowl first. Kolkata Knight Riders lost an early wicket of Sunil Narine in the 2nd over for 1 run. Chris Lynn and Robin Uthappa played with positive intent. At the end of 6 overs, KKR posted 50 for 1.
After the power play overs, both batsmen continued their aggressive stroke play and put pressure on Kings XI Punjab bowlers. Chris Lynn and Robin Uthappa smashed 3 sixes from Brainder Sran over in the 8th over. After the timeout, Kings XI Punjab took the important wickets of Robin Uthappa for 34 and Nitish Rana in quick succession.
Dinesh Karthik came to the crease and hit some lovely boundaries. Chris Lynn completed his half-century off 30 balls, continued to put smash the Kings XI Punjab bowlers with his aggressive hitting. Captain Dinesh Karthik created pressure on R Ashwin led the side with good positive batting.
Chris Lynn was dismissed by Andrew Tye for well-made 74. The hard-hitting Andre Russell scored just 10 runs off 7 balls. Dinesh Karthik also played a good knock scoring 43 off 28 balls.
Andrew Tye bowled a brilliant last over giving away just 5 runs. Kolkata Knight Riders posted 191 for 7 in 20 overs. Tye was the pick of bowlers for Kings XI Punjab taking 2 wickets and giving away 30 runs.
Chasing 192, Â Kings XI Punjab openers Chris Gayle and KL Rahul provided the team with a flying start. Gayle continued his brilliant form while Rahul also looked in great touch. At end of 6 overs, Kings XI Punjab scored 73 runs.
After the power play overs, both batsmen continued to punish the Kolkata Knight Riders bowlers. Before rain arrived, Kings XI Punjab were 96 for 0. The revised target for Kings XI Punjab was 125 runs in 13 overs which meant they needed 29 runs off 28 balls.
Chris Gayle reached his half-century off 28 balls while KL Rahul reached his 50 off 24 balls. Both batsmen added 116 runs for the first wicket in just 9.4 overs. KL Rahul was dismissed for 60 runs.
Gayle remained not out on 62 off 38 balls and gave Kings XI Punjab an easy 9 wicket win with 11 balls to spare.
Kings XI Punjab 126 for 1 in 11.1 overs ( Chris Gayle 62*, KL Rahul 60, Sunil Narine 1/23) beat
KKR 191 for 7 in 20 overs ( Chris Lynn 74, Uthappa 34, Dinesh Karthik 43, Andrew Tye 2/30) by 9 wickets via D/L method.
KKR captain Dinesh Karthik said: KL Rahul and Chris Gayle took the game away from us in the powerplay overs. We did not execute our plans. In the last few overs of our innings, we could not finish well and scored just 191 runs after such a strong start.
Kings XI Punjab R Ashwin said: Very happy with this win. The par total on this pitch was 210. We had a break and asked the boys to restrict them to 190. KL Rahul and Chris Gayle gave a perfect start which made the chase easier. This win gives confidence of tough week.
Man of the match KL Rahul: I was aggressive and kept the things simple. Don’t want to complicate my batting see the ball hit the ball. I back my shots. I and Chris Gayle wanted to put pressure on the opposition bowlers. Hope to continue the same form in the coming games.
Kings XI Punjab moves at the top of points table with 8 points from 5 matches.
