On Monday, May 8, at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Kolkata Knight Riders batter Rinku Singh once more starred in a final-ball finish against Punjab Kings. KKR fixed a five-wicket prevail upon the Shikhar Dhawan drove side as the match went right down to the last second.
After choosing to bat first, Punjab Kings set a target of 180 for the visitors. The entire pursue of KKR appeared to be upside down and unusual.
In the penultimate over, Andre Russell’s assault on Sam Curran (42 off 23) brought KKR closer to victory. The West Indies all-rounder struck three sixes off the England all-rounder’s bowling, bringing the total down to six runs in six balls.
Arshdeep Singh, who had given up 31 runs in three overs, did not make Russell and Rinku’s task look easy.
Arshdeep missed the yorker and misplaced a full-throw delivery in the direction of the southpaw. Rinku Singh flicked it toward the deep backward square leg for a boundary as KKR bagged the two crucial points.
Shikhar Dhawan’s half-century in vain
Shikhar Dhawan, captain of the Punjab Kings, hit nine fours and one six for 57 runs in 47 balls. It was Dhawan’s 50th IPL fifty, making him the third player in tournament history to do so.
To contain the runs in the middle, KKR spinners entered the effect. Five of the seven PBKS’ excusals were guaranteed by turn bowlers. Varun Chakravarthy (3/26) played a crucial role in increasing the pressure on the batters.
Lower order members of the PBKS, Harpreet Brar (17 off 9 balls) and Shahrukh Khan (21 off 8 balls), surged late to push for a competitive 179/7 score on the board.
KKR have now leaped to three spots in the focuses table to space at fifth situation with 10 focuses from 11 matches. The end of the season games dispute is completely open as each of the 10 groups have a fair opportunity to qualify.