Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) rode on a superb bowling performance to beat Deccan Chargers (DC) by five wickets at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Sunday. Deccan who came on to bat first made a good start but soon lost their way to finish their innings for a meager 126 for loss of seven wickets on a pitch that was offering some assistance to the bowlers. Deccan then show immense grit and prolonged the inevitable but eventually lost the match by five wickets.
A report in The Hindu writes that KKR pulled up their fourth victory in seven matches by overpowering Deccan Chargers who put up a great fight back by five wickets and an over to spare at the near capacity Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. Deccan Chargers made a determined attempt in trying to win their first game in the Indian Premier League season V but Knight Riders managed to reach 127 for five on a slow wicket courtesy an unbeaten 39 by Manoj Tiwary. It should have a cakewalk for the KKR, but an irresponsible batting display at the top of order was what made them struggle a bit in their pursuit.
Mail Today writes that the five- wicket win over the DC in a rain affected match has now helped KKR jump to the third position on the points table. Kolkata bowlers did a great job in restricting DC to a modest total of 126 with Laxmipathy Balaji (2/22) and Sunil Narine (2/26) leading the charge from the front. Brett Lee though who returned with figures of 1-15 was the most impressive of the KKR bowlers.
The Indian Express writes that Deccan Charger’s run rate which went below seven an over after Laxmipathy Balaji castled Kumar Sangakkara could never recover and go over six and a half runs per over for the rest of the match. They tried to make occasional comebacks but quick wickets foiled all their endeavors and even though Shikhar Dhawan scored run a ball 50, it was not enough to take DC to a fighting total.
Times of India writes that change of venue did not help DC much as they crashed to a five wickets defeat at the hands of KKR. It was another poor show by the Hyderabadi outfit and the crashed to their fifth loss in a row while KKR won their fourth match of the tournament.