An all-around performance by Kolkata Knight Riders helps them to beat Delhi Daredevils by 71 runs in the 13th match of IPL 2018 at Eden Garden’s, Kolkata just a few minutes ago. Delhi captain Gambhir won the toss and elected to field first. Contributions from Russell, Rana, Uthappa and Lynn helped KKR post 200. In reply, Delhi was bowled out for 129.
Delhi Daredevils captain Gautam Gambhir won the toss and invited Kolkata Knight Riders into bat. Sunil Narine who came to open the innings for KKR went cheaply for 1 run. Chris Lynn and Robin Uthappa played with positive intent putting pressure on Delhi Daredevils bowlers. At the end of 6 overs, KKR scored 50 runs.
Robin Uthappa and Chris Lynn went in quick succession to leave KKR at 89 for 3. Nitish Rana showed his class with aggressive batting. Dinesh Karthik could only contribute 19 runs. The dangerous Andre Russell and Nitish Rana smashed the Delhi Daredevils to all parts of the ground. Russell took the Delhi bowling apart with his brutal innings.
Russell scored quick fire 41 off 12 balls with 6 sixes in his innings. Nitish Rana reached his half-century off 30 balls. In the last few overs, Delhi restricted Kolkata Knight Riders with late wickets. Kolkata Knight Riders posted 200 for 9 in 20 overs. Rahul Tewatia was the pick of bowlers for Delhi Daredevils taking 3 wickets for 18 runs.
Chasing 201, Delhi got off to a worse possible start losing the wicket dangerous Jason Roy in the very 1st over itself. Shreyas Iyer also went cheaply for 4 runs.  Also, Gambhir could not score many runs. Under 19 bowler Shivam Mavi dismissed Delhi Daredevils captain Gambhir. Pant and Maxwell played with positive intent. At the end of 6 overs, Delhi Daredevils scored 56 runs for 3.
Pant and Maxwell added 62 runs for the 4th wicket. Pant was dismissed for 43. Maxwell also played a good knock scoring 47 runs. After that Delhi Daredevils lost wickets at regular intervals and were bowled out for 129 in 14.2 overs.
Sunil Narine and Kuldeep Yadav picked 3 wickets each for Kolkata Knight Riders. It was a good bowling display by KKR bowlers.
KKR 200 for 9 in 20 overs ( Rana 59, Russell 41, Uthappa 35, R Tewatia 3/18, Trent Boult 2/29) beat
DD 129 in 14.2 overs ( Pant 43, Maxwell 47, Sunil Narine 3/18, Kuldeep Yadav 3/32) by 71 runs.
Delhi Daredevils Gambhir said: Credit goes to Kolkata Knight Riders. We thought at one stage that KKR would not get 170-175 runs. Russell played a gem of knock and bowled a lot of deliveries on his radar. We had plans against Russell but when he gets going it is tough for any bowler to execute their plans.
KKR captain Dinesh Karthik said: It was a complete team effort from our boys. Wrist spinners are doing a great job for us. Narine and Kuldeep are doing a great job. Russell and Nitish Rana contributed big time to help us to post 200 runs. I am trying to keep the things in batting as well captaincy.
Man of the match Nitish Rana said: This knock is important to me. I have an idea when I see the field and get more options to score runs. Kolkata Knight Riders showed great faith in me. It will give me lots of confidence in the coming games.
Kolkata Knight Riders register their 2nd win of the tournament. This win will give confidence for KKR to perform better in coming games.
Royal Challengers Bangalore will take on Mumbai Indians at Wankedhe Stadium, Mumbai tomorrow.
