Lynn does the job as Kolkata edge past Bangalore
Chris Lynn showed grace under fire to steer Kolkata Knight Riders to a six-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bangalore at M Chinnaswamy Stadium last night.
Needing 176 to win, opener Lynn scored an unbeaten 62 to guide the visiting Knight Riders to victory with five balls to spare.
Kolkata are now fourth in the Indian Premier League (IPL) table on eight points, two points ahead of Rajasthan Royals, who lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad by 11 runs in Jaipur earlier yesterday.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Hyderabad captain Kane Williamson scored 63 and put on a 92run stand with Alex Hales (45). The visitors lost their way after both batsmen departed in quick succession to post 151-7 – not a massive total to defend.
But seamers Siddarth Kaul (2-23) Sandeep Sharma (115) bowled superbly to limit the hosts to 140-6. Captain Ajinkya Rahane (65) batted through Rajasthan’s innings, but it was not enough to get them home.
Hyderabad now top the IPL table on 12 points – two points ahead of Chennai Super Kings and Kings XI Punjab, although they have played an additional game.
The Super Kings have an opportunity to move level with Hyderabad again when they host Delhi Daredevils in the outskirts of Pune today.
The two-time champions may be playing their home games far away from Chennai due to security concerns, but they have shown no signs of homesickness. MS Dhoni’s men have used their experience to consistently win games in the last over.
On the other hand, the Daredevils have struggled all season, winning just once in six outings before Gautam Gambhir stepped down as captain to make way for a man 13 years younger.
Shreyas Iyer, 23, led from the front in his first game in charge on Friday, scoring 93 as Delhi beat Kolkata by 55 runs to stem the tide – at least for the time being.
The mood in the Delhi camp may, therefore, be upbeat at the moment, but Shreyas will be prudent not to get too excited.
Honeymoon phase or not, a Delhi win today will be considered a genuine upset.