Jaipur, April 6: The Kolkata Knight Riders made light work of the target of 139 as they clinched an easy eight wicket victory over hosts Rajasthan Royals in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match on Sunday. This is the biggest win for any team in terms of balls remaining.
IPL SPECIAL PAGE | RR vs KKR preview
High on confidence after their maiden victory, Rajasthan Royals will look to carry the momentum by exploiting familiar conditions when they host a rampaging Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019 here on Sunday (April 7).
The visitors will also be brimming with confidence with their batsmen Nitish Rana, Andre Russell, Robin Uthappa and Shubman Gill in top form. Rajasthan bowlers Jofra Archer, Jaidev Unadkat and Ben Stokes have leaked runs in the death overs. They will have to rethink their strategy after Russell's sensational display of power hitting (48 off 13 balls) against Royal Challengers Bangalore.
The biggest positive for the Royals has been Shreyas Gopal, who, with his googlies, deceived the likes of Virat Kohli, AB De Villiers and Shimron Hetmyer, finishing with 3 for 12. Despite the victory against RCB, Royals will still look to iron out certain flaws which have plagued them recently.
They have often failed to grab moments losing to Kings XI Punjab, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings after being in commanding position. While star players, including Steve Smith and Ben Stokes, have failed to live up to the expectations, the likes of Sanju Samson, who had hit first ton of this IPL, Jos Buttler and captain Ajinkya Rahane have been good. Smith, although, scored 38 against RCB.
Meanwhile, KKR's bowling department, led by Sunil Narine, Kuldeep Yadav and Piyush Chawla, will look to exploit the wicket at Sawai Man Singh Stadium, which has played slow and low recently. KKR will head to the game with the belief that the side can win from any situation, which they have demonstrated time and again. Both teams will also have to deal with the soaring heat in the the Pink City with temperatures nearing 40 degrees celsius.
Here’s MyKhel’s Live Updates of the Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders match:
What a win! With the victory the Dinesh-Karthik led side climb back to the top of the table.
Another victory in the bag for @KKRiders as they win by 8 wickets in Jaipur and add two more points to their tally 🙌#VIVOIPL pic.twitter.com/A6UWM1UjO2
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 7, 2019
ENDS WITH A WIDE! KKR made light work of the chase as they won by eight wickets. Biggest win for any team in terms of balls remaining.
Scores level. One to win from 38 balls.
FOUR to start the over! Just three more to win!
KKR need 7 to win from 42.
ANOTHER MAXIMUM! Just seven to win
Robbie Uthappa joins the party with a maximum! KKR knocking on the doors of an easy win.
The Knight Riders need 24 off 53. The opening pair have set the visitors up for a win and it doesn't look like Jaipur with get to see the Russell storm tonight.
Shubman Gill the new batsmen in.
WICKET!! Lynn goes for 50 off 32. Top-edge, finds deep backward square as Midhun takes a safe catch off a Gopal delivery to end the KKR openers innings.
Lynn completes his 50 off 32!
MAXIMUM! Lynn powers it for a six to bring the Knights closer to home.
The Knight Riders need 34 off 59 to win
Expensive over from Midhun as he gives away 13 runs dotted with two fours.
FOUR! Lynn brings up the 100 with a boundary. Its the second fastest team hundred of the season.
Robin Uthappa the new man in. Hits Midhun for four to get off on the right foot.
WICKET!!! Narine goes for 47 off 25 as Smith makes no mistake to take a sharp catch at first slip and end the opening stand.
MAXIMUM! Lynn starts the over with a maximum. KKR flying here with no wickets down.
Another MAXIMUM to end the over
MAXIMUM! Narine hits Midhun for a six.
Sudhesan Midhun into the attack for Royals.
Good over from Shreyas Gopal. Halts KKr's charge as he gives away just 3 runs.
Shreyas Gopal into the attack
Powerplay done. KKR cruising at 65/0.
FOUR more! Narine hits Kulkarni for a boundary. Rajasthan being punished for dropping him.
FOUR! One bounce and over the ropes.
MASSIVE! Could have been a catch but it safely clears the boundary! Lynn punishing Archer after surviving scare.
The jokes on the hosts as both the openers survive!
MISSED! The ball hits the wicket but the bails don't come off! Lynn survives this time!
DROPPED!!! Narine dropped by Rahul Tripathi.