Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) started the first match of the Super Sunday against the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) as clear favorites at least on the papers. But they could not live up to the billing as they lost the low scoring match by two runs in the end. KXIP batted first and were disappointing with the bat and it looked like that KKR would breach the meager target of 135 with ease. But it did not go on the anticipated lines as some miserable batting performance by KKR and a great show by KXIP bowlers denied what looked inevitable after the first innings.
Punjab bowled with grit and KKR who were at one stage cruising at 72-2 within no time were down to 79-6 which marked the beginning of something special. They eventually could pile up only 132 for a loss of seven wickets in their 20 overs.
Here are some hits and flops of the match:
Kings XI Punjab:
Hits
Mandeep Singh and David Hussey: Punjab never looked comfortable on the turning track of Eden and was collapsing like nine pins and it was these two batsmen who stood in denial and tried to counter the Kolkata attack. Mandeep scored 38 of 34 deliveries including three fours and a six and Hussey 32 of 31 consisting of a four and a six helped KXIP to a decent total.
Late cameos by lower order batsmen: Late cameos by Piyush Chawla (13 off eight deliveries) and Harmeet Singh (14 from six balls) helped the KXIP to cross 130 runs mark who at point looked like they could get to somewhere around 115.
Piyush Chawla: With the scoreboard reading 73-3, it looked like KKR would definitely pull up the victory especially with the kind of batting power they boast. But it was Chawla’s first wicket where he bowled Manvinder Bisla marked their downfall. In the same over he dealt the most deadly blow of the match when he bowled Yusuf Pathan. The wicket saw the whole KXIP side erupt in joy as they knew they got their man. Chawla came back in the next over and dismissed the dangerous Shakib Al Hasan. The fact that his spell changed it for them was later admitted by Gilchrist as well.
Great death bowling by Praveen Kumar and Harmeet: Even after Piyush scalped three wickets, KKR however looked well poised and victory seemed almost certain for them. They required 13 off last two over and with the likes Ryan Ten Deoschate and Debabrat Das still at the crease it was more than achievable. But Praveen Kumar who bowled the 19th over gave away just four runs to put the pressure back on KKR. Host seemingly under pressure went into the last over with nine runs required and till then the ball was very much in KKR’s court. But some clever bowling by Harmeet in the ultimate over of the match brought them back from nowhere to script one of the greatest win of IPL this season. He gave away just seven runs including a wicket.
Flops
Batting department: They failed once again and lacked conviction against the KKR attack. They execution was bad and even the likes of Adam Gilchrist and Shaun Marsh faltered on a day when lot was expected from them.
Kolkata Knight Riders:
Hits
Sunil Narine: It can very well be one of the most unfortunate days for this talented spinner from West Indies. In a format where wickets are hard to come by he took a five wicket haul which in the end went in vain. Narine bowled with conviction and his variation and spin caught the KXIP batsmen on the wrong foot and they barely had any answer for him. He ended the day with five wickets by giving away just 18 runs. He was named the man of the match for his exemplary performance.
Flops:
Batting department: A collective batting failure by KKR, barring some useful knocks here and there such as Debabrat Das (35) Gambhir (22) and Bisla (27), did them in. None of the batsmen could stand up to the challenge and looked miserable with their shot selection. It was there for taking but they blew it away crashing one of the most shameful victories in this year’s IPL.
By Samikshan Dutta Choudhary
Indian Sports News
