Bengaluru, Sept. 28: The Kolkata Knight Riders notched up a three-wicket win over Delhi Capitals in match no. 41 of the Indian Premier League at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Playing in the first match of the day, the Knights impressed with bat and ball as they fended off the formidable Capitals to strenghten their chances of sealing a playoff berth.
The Eoin Morgan-led side, who had a dismal first half, resumed the IPL 2021 season on a strong note, winning two back-to-back matches, before narrowly going down to Chennai Super Kings. But on Tuesday, facing second-placed Capitals, KKR bounced back to notch up their fifth win of the season and strenghten thenir hold on the fourth spot of the IPL points table.
After electing to bowl first, the Knights bowlers put on a clinical display to restrict Delhi to a paltry 127/9. While Steve Smith (39 off 34) and Shikhar Dhawan (24 off 20) gave Delhi a strong start, the Capitals batting collapsed apart from skipper Rishabh Pant who scored a 36-ball 39.
But Sunil Narine, Lockie Ferguson and Venkatesh Iyer put up stellar displays with the ball as they pocketed two wickets each to restrict the otherwise rampaging Delhi line-up.
In reply, the Knights got off to a strong start with Shubman Gill putting them in the driver's seat with a 33-ball 30. Nitish Rana (36 n.o) and Sunil Narine (21 off 10) took the game away from the Capitals. With the playoffs race heating up the Kolkata dugout will be a happy one - moreover with Rana and Narine clicking with the bat in Tuesday's match.
Here's how the Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals IPL match played out:
End of match: The Kolkata Knight Riders is a confident and happy camp after collecting two important points, especially against a dominant side like the Delhi Capitals. After the bowlers, including Narine, Ferguson and Iyer restricted the Capitals, the Knights chased down the target with 10 balls to spare. Following the win, Knights remain at fourth with ten points from 11 matches. Meanwhile Delhi remain second with sixteen points from 11 matches.
And the Knights have pulled it off. They are very much alive in this playoff race as they notch up a 3-wicket win over Delhi Capitals
WICKET! Southee goes for 3 off 5. KKR lose their seventh wicket. Knights need 2 off 12
DROPPED! High up but lands safely as Southee collects two
Good over from Nortje he picks up a wicket and gives away just three runs
WICKET! Sunil Narine's blistering knock comes to an end. Narine goes for 21 off 10 after putting KKR in the driver's seat. Nortje pockets a wicket. KKR need 6 from 19
Looks like Rishabha Pant might have hurt himself. The DC skipper getting checked by the physio now. KKR need 6 off 20
Nortje into the attack
21 runs off that over and that's almost sealed KKR's win!
SIX-FOUR-SIX!! And Narine has taken the game away from the Capitals
SIX!! Top edge for a maximum! And Narine follows it up with a four! KKR need 16 from 26
Free hit and Narine on strike. Just the two runs off it.
Rabada back into the attack
Sunil Narine the new man in. Knights need 32 off 32
BOWLED! Avesh Khan delivers yet again as Dinesh Karthik has to go for 12 off 14. KKR lose their fifth. KKR: 96/5 after 14.4 overs
Avesh Khan comes in for his second over. Two dots to begin. Another wicket on the cards?
Huge over for KKR as Lalit Yadav gives away 20 runs. KKR: 96/4 after 14 overs
FOUR!! This time Karthik slashes it past third man for the third boundary of the over
BACK-TO-BACK MAXIMUMS from Nitish Rana puts the Knights back into a comfortable position. After smacking the first one over Yadav's head, the second one is whacked into the stands. 14 runs already off the first three balls
Lalit Yadav replaces Ashwin.
FOUR! Top edge past third man as Karthik gets the important boundary to take some of the pressure off
Former skipper Dinesh Karthik the new man in. The Knights need Karthik to take them over the line as Delhi take control with quick wickets
WICKET!! Suddenly Delhi regain control as Captain Morgan goes for a duck. Ashwin removes the KKR skipper as Avesh Khan picks up at first slip. KKR: 67/4 after 11.2 overs
WICKET! Superb over from Rabada as he begins his spell with a wicket maiden. Gill doesn't get enough power on it as Shreyas Iyer picks him up at long on. Gill goes for 30 off 33. Morgan the new man in. KKR: 67/3 after 11 overs
Kagiso Rabada comes into the attack, replaces Ashwin. A dot to begin his spell
Big appeal for LBW but not given. Pant doesn't review.
Four! A boundary to finish Ashwin's over. Time for a timeout. KKR: 62/2 after 9 overs
SIX!! Gone high as Gill clears long on. Smith attempts to take it but takes a tumble as it crosses the long on boundary for a maximum
End of powerplay: KKR lose Venkatesh Iyer and Rahul Tripathi is the powerplay as they reach 44/2 at the end of six overs
WICKET!! Tripathi mistimes this as he's caught at mid off by Smith. KKR lose their second in the powerplay as Avesh Khan pockers a wicket