Key Baneya

  • Kings XI Punjab lost a high-scoring game by 31 runs to Kolkata Knight Riders at Indore
  • Andrew Tye picked up a second consecutive 4-wicket haul with the ball
  • Lokesh Rahul scored a brisk half century and crossed the 500-run mark this season
Photo credit: BCCI/IPLT20.com

In a game which Kolkata Knight Riders had to win in order to stay alive in the VIVO Indian Premier League, they managed to put the failure of their previous game behind and exact revenge against Kings XI Punjab by inflicting a huge 31-run defeat on the home team at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore. The Kings fought till the end but the target was too much for them in spite of a spirited chase. 🏏 SCORECARD

Having to set a target on a pitch which favoured the chasing side, Dinesh Karthik’s men got off to a good start thanks to their openers, Sunil Narine and Chris Lynn. The pair put on a 53-run partnership, setting the tone for the rest of the innings. 📷 PHOTOS

Narine looked in sublime form, hammering the ball to all parts of the ground on his way to a 36-ball 75. It took a phenomenal effort from Andrew Tye, who picked up 4 wickets for 41 runs to pull the scoring rate back. The Australian's change of pace baffled the KKR top order and all 4 of the opening wickets fell to the pacer.

Turning Point
After Tye’s three strikes with the ball, Kings XI Punjab were unable to capitalise by restricting the run rate or picking up wickets which allowed Kolkata to seize the advantage and post a huge total.

Captain Karthik and Andre Russell gave the team a push at the end with some power hitting to get to a massive 245 run total. Karthik reached his half century in 23 balls with 5 fours and 3 sixes.

Sadda Sher
In a high scoring game, Tye managed to take advantage of the risks the batsmen were taking and picked up 4 of the 6 wickets that fell. His economy rate was above 10 but the wickets proved invaluable in keeping KKR under check.

Facing a tough ask, Lokesh Rahul and Chris Gayle took on the bowling when the Kings came in to bat, bringing up their 6th half-century partnership in 8 matches. Rahul looked like he was continuing the fine form he had found in the league as he brought up his half century and crossing the 500 run mark in the current VIVO IPL season.

But once Gayle fell, the Kings’ middle order struggled to find a foothold through the innings. Some late blows by Aaron Finch gave the crowd some reason to cheer but the target was always going to be out of the Kings’ reach after the middle-order collapse.

Unha-da Sher
After a 31-run cameo with the bat, Andre Russell picked up 3 wickets with the ball to display his true all-round quality when the Knight Riders needed him the most.

Skipper Ravichandran Ashwin made good use of the long handle in the end and got the team past the 200-run mark but as the required rate kept climbing, the game got too far out of hand. In the end Kolkata managed to bag a 31-run victory and pick up 8 of Kings XI Punjab’s wickets.

Key Chalda Hai?

This loss puts Kings XI Punjab in a tricky situation as they will need to win 2 of their remaining 3 games to ensure a place in the Playoffs. They will now face Royal Challengers Bangalore in their last home game at Indore on Monday, 14 May.