Uthappa, Gambhir take KKR to top of IPL table
FLUENT WIN Kolkata team eases to sevenwicket win over Pune Supergiant
Kolkata Knight Riders maintained their winning record at the MCA Stadium on Wednesday as they coasted to their sixth straight victory here by defeating Rising Pune Supergiant by seven wickets in the IPL 2017 on Wednesday.
The win helped Kolkata Knight Riders go to the top of the IPL 2017 points table, dislodging another former champions Mumbai Indians.
Kolkata Knight Riders began the second half of IPL 10 in thumping fashion, which was similar to their opening clash, a 10-wicket win over Gujarat Lions.
KKR skipper Gautam Gambhir (46-ball 62) and Robin Uthappa (47-ball 87) forged a 158run second wicket partnership to chase down Rising Pune Supergiant’s 182 for five with 11 balls to spare. Kolkata Knight Riders finished on 184/3.
The odds were always stacked against Steve Smith’s Rising Pune Supergiant, who have won only once batting first at the MCA Stadium, and had never beaten Kolkata Knight Riders on their home ground. Robin Uthappa had a fruitful day with the bat and gloves. After effecting three stumpings (Ajinkya Rahane, MS Dhoni and Manoj Tiwary), Uthappa was at his best with the bat.
Uthappa made the most of the life he got when on 12 after RPS pacer Jaydev Unadkat dropped a catch at deep midwicket after falling on his back. The ball rolled over the boundary.
After that, Uthappa simply exploded, scoring 49 runs off the next 15 balls. He slammed young pacer Washington Sundar for a four and consecutive sixes to take 20 runs off his third over.
He even dispatched leg-spinner Imran Tahir for six over long-on. In the next over, Uthappa hit two boundaries off Unadkat before skipper Gautam Gambhir ended the over with a four, taking 14 runs off it.
Gambhir took 10 balls to hit his first boundary, but there wasn’t any need for him to take risks as Uthappa did all the big hitting. Gambhir played the anchor role to perfection, rotating the strike while hitting the odd ball to the fence.
By the time Uthappa and Gambhir were dismissed, KKR were on the verge of victory.
Captain Steven Smith (51no) built on the fine start provided by Rahul Tripathi (38) and Ajinkya Rahane (46), who raised their second consecutive 50-plus opening stand.
Smith again showed his smart approach and class. When Rahane was in full flow, Smith was happy to step back to give more strike to his partner.
It was the same when MS Dhoni (11-ball 23) arrived. Smith gave as much strike as possible to Dhoni.
Kuldeep Yadav, however, foxed Dhoni to have him stumped. Kuldeep also had Manoj Tiwary (1) stumped in the same over to slow the scoring down. I am keeping things simple, reading the batsmen and bowling according to the situation, instead of worrying about what shots the batsman will play.
In this format, spinners often think they will get away with faster balls. That perception is wrong because faster balls are easier to put away. Spinners have a big role in this competition, but only if they are looking to spin the ball and willing to take chances by bowling slower through the air. They have to keep the batsman guessing about where the ball will land and that can happen only if you are trying to deceive the batsman in the
air. It will happen for only two or three balls in an over. But it has worked for me. Nothing. I took time off and spent it with my family, especially with my daughter. Now she is a bit older. My wife understands I have to focus on following my cricket routines. I want my daughter to see me play international
cricket and Honestly, playing domestic cricket itself is a challenge. It is not easy for someone like Virender Sehwag or Yuvraj Singh or a Sourav Ganguly, or anyone who has played at this (highest) level for 10 to 15 years to make a comeback by proving yourself at the domestic level. It is a bit hard to motivate yourself but that is the only way. You can take it as a challenge or you can think you don’t need to prove yourself. But to play with the same intensity at the domestic level is a bit difficult. I have done what I could have done. I don’t need to show anymore what I can do. People are there to decide on the best combination. Whether I am there or not, I want India to do well. If not this time, I will get there later.