Kings XI choke chasing Knights
CLINICAL After brisk start, Kolkata Knight Riders run out of steam as KXIP keep their playoff hopes alive with a 14run win
MOHALI: In a must-win match, Kings XI Punjab defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by14 runs to keep alive hopes of qualifying for the playoffs. Chasing a target of 168, Kolkata, who needed a win to assure themselves of a top two finish, started with pinch hitter Sunil Narine and Chris Lynn providing yet another blazing start. But hosts Kings XI Punjab bowlers redeemed themselves and stopped the former champions in their tracks. Lynn waged a lone battle with hammering 84 (off 52 balls). It , however, went in vain.
Narine and Lynn started the chase in right earnest adding 39 runs in four overs but Kings XI Punjab came in with a definite plan to stop the run riot. Sandeep bowled a couple of good yorkers to build up pressure as Mohit Sharma claimed the prized scalp of Narine before he could further damage.
After that, it took the combined effort of Kings XI Punjab spinners--Axar Patel and Rahul Tewatia—to stem the flow of runs. While Gautam Gambir struggled to pierce the gaps, Lynn managed to keep the scoreboard ticking.
Tewatia’s twin strikes in the 10th over wherein he accounted for struggling Gambhir (8, 18balls) and Robin Uthappa (0), knocked the wind out of KKR’s sails.
When Lynn departed run out by Axar Patel for 84 in the 18th over, it was all over for KKR.
MAXWELL TO RESCUE
Earlier, Kings XI Punjab innings was propped up by skipper Glenn Maxwell’s quickfire 44 off 25 balls as they set a target of 168 in 20 overs.
Maxwell and Wriddhiman Saha (33-ball 38) stitched a fourthwicket partnership off 71 runs off 42 balls to rescue their side after quick wickets at the start had almost derailed Kings XI Punjab innings.
Punjab began well with Manan Vohra hitting some solid blows. Vohra, however, fell trying to dominate the attack. Thereafter, the innings faltered as Kolkata Knight Riders kept things tight with pacers bowling just back of length and giving nothing away.
Martin Guptill and Shaun Marsh perished in quick succession, and it was left to Saha and skipper Maxwell to start the repair work.
After setting his eye in, Maxwell opened his arms to good effect against Colin De Grandhomme. He hit the New Zealand pacer for two sixes in the 12th over. Saha, at the other end, rotated strike.