PATCH: Andre Russell’s controlled spell not only saw him stymie the
Kings XI chase, but also pick up the Purple Cap.
Gambhir and Uthappa come good yet again; Russell chips in with four wickets
Kolkata Knight Riders could not have asked for a sweeter homecoming.
Its
accomplished openers, Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa, struck superb
half-centuries to contribute to the thrilling seven-run win over Kings
XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Eden Gardens here on
Wednesday. Knight Riders’ sixth victory propelled it to the top of the
table.
Asked to bat, Knight Riders first banked on a
responsible 101-run partnership between Gambhir (54) and Uthappa (70) to
post a challenging 164 for three and then rode on Andre Russell’s
four-wicket haul to overshadow Glenn Maxwell’s clinical onslaught for
Kings.
The Gambhir-Uthappa stand was one of control and execution.
The
former, in particular, was impressive, finding the gaps at will against
the Kings XI pacers. Uthappa, on the other hand, began in
uncharacteristic fashion, but played the support role well.
On a roll
When
Kings skipper M. Vijay chose to bowl his spinners on the slow track,
the Knight Riders openers adapted to the situation, playing the ball on
its merit.
The two, who were involved in a 50-plus
stand for the fifth time in this edition, became the only pair to do so
in two seasons of the IPL.
Gambhir and Uthappa went on to achieve their first century stand this year.
The
Knight Riders skipper, who hammered six fours apart from a spectacular
pulled six off Swapnil Singh, was run out in the 14th over, caught short
by Maxwell’s throw at the non-striker’s end.
Uthappa,
who was dropped immediately after scoring his third half-century, took a
while to showcase his firepower, but eventually hit six fours and two
sixes. A terrible mix-up with Yusuf Pathan resulted in Uthappa’s
dismissal in the 17th over.
For Kings, young pacer
Sandeep bowled with unerring accuracy to restrict the host batsmen in
the death overs. Left-arm spinner Axar Patel, too, made an impact with
his subtle variety.
Bad start
In reply, Kings
made a poor start, losing three wickets for just 13. However, sleeping
giant Maxwell refused to be cowed down by the situation, taking the
attack to the Knight Riders bowlers and reviving his team’s hopes.
The
Aussie, who had shown glimpses of form against Mumbai Indians last
week, picked Brad Hogg for special treatment. Maxwell clubbed six fours
and four mighty sixes in his 42-ball 68. Just when he looked for more,
he was adjudged lbw off Piyush Chawla who bowled a tidy spell.
Wriddhiman
Saha (24), who was involved in the rescue act along with Maxwell before
departing in the ninth over, tried his best; so did Axar and Gurkeerat,
but they could not stop Knight Riders from scripting a memorable win.
KKR 164/3 (20.0 Ovs)
KXIP 157/9 (20.0 Ovs)
Kolkata Knight Riders won by 7 runs
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