IPL 2018, KKR vs KXIP : 3 masterstrokes during the game
Match 19 of the IPL 2018 saw a top table clash between teams headed by Tamil Nadu boys at the Eden Gardens.
Setting a decent total on the board, KKR would have been confident of defending 191 runs but KL Rahul and Chris Gayle smashed the bowlers all over the park and batted sensibly when the rain was lurking around not gifting their wicket away.
Following the rain interruption, they were set a revised target of 125 runs in 13 overs and thanks to their proactive batting, it was chased easily in the end with Gayle doing the final honours, earning an important victory for Kings XI Punjab.
Sportskeeda takes a look at the three commendable tactics employed in the game which had a considerable impact on the end result.
#1 Ashwin's astute captaincy
One of the reasons for Kings XI's success in this tournament so far has been attributed to brilliant captaincy from Ravichandran Ashwin.
Almost all of his decisions pain rich dividends to his side right from opting reviews, picking Gayle in the third match and making right choices on the field.
Today he employed some specific tactics for Andre Russell who has the reputation of hitting the ball hard down the ground, by placing Karun Nair in the fine long-off.
Russell obliged to that tactic and heaved a yorker length delivery down to Nair over the bowler's head cutting short the onslaught restricting KKR to 191 which was chased successfully by Kings XI thanks to blistering knocks from Gayle and Rahul.