IPL 2017: Highest run scorers, wicket-takers after Kolkata Knight Riders vs Gujarat Lions match
The first encounter between Kolkata Knight Riders and Gujarat Lions in IPL 2017 turned into one of those matches that reinstate cricket's beautiful unpredictability. KKR, second in the points table and playing in their backyard, looked like clear favourites to topple the wobbly, last-placed Gujarat Lions.
Batting first, they even managed to stroll to a par score of 187-5. They kept GL in check by scalping 6 wickets at regular intervals. The momentum of the Suresh Raina-led team was also halted by rain.
However, Raina decided to be the man of the moment (and the match) when it mattered the most!
Extra Cover: 5 memorable moments from the Kolkata Knight Riders vs Gujarat Lions match that don’t fade away
Responding to Robin Uthappa's 72 in the first innings, Raina scored 84 off 46, guiding the Lions to their biggest victory of in the tournament so far. The 9 fours and 4 sixes that came out of his willow screamed vintage Raina and his strike rate of 182.60 told a story of its own.
The successful chase has proved to be one of the most decisive wins of the season and has changed the standings in the race for the orange as well as the purple cap. Let us look at the leading run scorers and wicket-takers after the KKR vs. GL game:
Leading Run Scorers
| Position | Player | Matches | Innings | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | Highest |
| 1 | Brendon McCullum (GL) | 6 | 6 | 258 | 43 | 150.88 | 0 | 2 | 72 |
| 2 | Nitish Rana (MI) | 6 | 6 | 255 | 51 | 142.46 | 0 | 3 | 62* |
| 3 | Manish Pandey (KKR) | 6 | 5 | 245 | 122.5 | 145.83 | 0 | 2 | 81* |
| 4 | Suresh Raina (GL) | 6 | 6 | 243 | 60.75 | 148.17 | 0 | 2 | 84 |
| 5 | David Warner (SRH) | 6 | 6 | 239 | 59.75 | 134.27 | 0 | 2 | 76* |
| 6 | Hashim Amla (KXIP) | 6 | 6 | 234 | 58.5 | 141.82 | 1 | 1 | 104* |
| 7 | Gautam Gambhir (KKR) | 6 | 6 | 229 | 57.25 | 137.95 | 0 | 2 | 76* |
| 8 | Sanju Samson (DD) | 5 | 5 | 215 | 43 | 142.38 | 1 | 0 | 102 |
| 9 | Shikhar Dhawan (SRH) | 6 | 6 | 205 | 34.17 | 120.59 | 0 | 1 | 70 |
| 10 | Jos Buttler (MI) | 6 | 6 | 185 | 30.83 | 156.78 | 0 | 1 | 77 |
Brendon McCullum might’ve retired a couple of years back but he still manages to enthral us with his sensational batting. The man who hit the first century of IPL a decade back has now earned the orange cap against the very team he made that 100 for – if this isn’t a great story, what is? He has an average of 43 this season with two fifties along with an impressive strike rate of 150.88.
Leading wicket takers
| Position | Player | Matches | Wickets | Overs | Runs | Economy | Best Figures |
| 1 | Bhuvaneshwar Kumar (SRH) | 6 | 15 | 24 | 137 | 5.71 | 5 for 19 |
| 2 | Chris Morris (DD) | 5 | 12 | 18 | 119 | 6.61 | 4 for 26 |
| 3 | Rashid Khan (SRH) | 6 | 9 | 24 | 178 | 7.42 | 3 for 19 |
| 4 | Mitchell McClenaghan (MI) | 6 | 9 | 24 | 219 | 9.12 | 2 for 20 |
| 5 | Imran Tahir (RPS) | 5 | 8 | 20 | 161 | 8.05 | 3 for 28 |
| 6 | Pat Cummins (DD) | 5 | 7 | 19.1 | 152 | 7.93 | 2 for 23 |
| 7 | Zaheer Khan (DD) | 5 | 7 | 19 | 154 | 8.11 | 3 for 20 |
| 8 | Yuzvendra Chahal (RCB) | 6 | 7 | 19.3 | 143 | 7.33 | 3 for 31 |
| 9 | Andrew Tye (GL) | 3 | 7 | 12 | 85 | 7.08 | 5 for 17 |
| 10 | Chris Woakes (KKR) | 6 | 7 | 20 | 199 | 9.95 | 2 for 30 |
While the orange cap list sees swapping in positions after every match, the top spot of the purple cap list seems to be rock solid. Since he got the purple cap, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar hasn’t look back. It surely seems like this is going to be a special season for the Indian seam bowler.
Let us look at where all the teams stand after KKR v GL.
Points Table
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Lost | No Result | Net Run Rate | Points | Last Result | Next Opponent |
| 1 | Mumbai Indians | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0.623 | 10 | Beat KXIP bt 8 wickets | DD |
| 2 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0.709 | 8 | Lost to GL by 4 wickets | RCB |
| 3 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0.587 | 8 | Beat DD by 15 runs | RPS |
| 4 | Delhi Daredevils | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1.157 | 4 | Lost to SRH by 15 runs | MI |
| 5 | Kings XI Punjab | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | -0.606 | 4 | Lost to MI by 8 wickets | GL |
| 6 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | -0.747 | 4 | Beat GL by 21 runs | KKR |
| 7 | Gujarat Lions | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | -0.769 | 4 | Beat KKR by 4 wickets | KXIP |
| 8 | Rising Pune Supergiant | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | -0.942 | 4 | Beat RCB by 27 runs | SRH |
The Mumbai Indians look solid as a rock at the top of the table and now are pretty certain to make the playoffs, followed by KKR and SRH. However, every team from position 3 to position 8 has won just two matches. The net run rate, keeping Delhi Daredevils up float for now, will be crucial in deciding the four best teams that will go into the knockout stages.
The table looks very dynamic and one result can alter the places from 3 to 7 in any which way!