IPL 2018, KXIP vs KKR: KL Rahul's dismissal is the SK Turning Point of the Match
Kolkata Knight Riders kept their playoff hopes alive by defeating the Kings XI Punjab by runs. Batting first, the Knight Riders added their highest total, scoring 245/6 thanks to Sunil Narine's 75 from 36 deliveries and skipper Dinesh Karthik's 23-ball 50. The total was also the fourth-highest in IPL history.
In reply, KXIP were off to a fine start with KL Rahul smashing two sixes off Sunil Narine in the first over. Rahul continued to play briskly while Gayle was not his usual flamboyant self and showed occasional aggression. KKR had a chance to dismiss Gayle in the fourth over but Dinesh Karthik dropped him on 13.
Punjab were looking strong at 51/0 from their first 5 overs. In the final powerplay over, Gayle began by walloping a short delivery from Russell. However, Gayle was dismissed for 21 later in the over and Mayank Agarwal followed suit in the very next delivery.
However, Punjab were very much in the game as KL Rahul was still there and brought up his 5th fifty of the tournament with a slashing six over third man.
By the end of 8 overs, KXIP were 79/3 and needed 167 runs at a run-rate of almost 14. The 9th over began with Rahul smashing a six off Sunil Narine. After a dot ball, Rahul hit smashed another six, this time going over midwicket.
Following two singles, Sunil Narine hooked the big fish for KKR. Narine bowled a full delivery from around the wicket. The ball was pitched on the middle and Rahul was attempting to sweep the ball but it brushed his thigh and hit the stumps. KKR were elated as they got the priceless wicket of KL Rahul.
Rahul departed after scoring 66 from just 29 deliveries. The wicket turned the match in KKR's favour.
However, Punjab did bat well in the remaining overs as their batsmen did some hard hitting. Axar Patel hit a couple of big shots before his dismissal.
Aaron Finch also smashed three sixes before perishing to a Kuldeep Yadav catch at fine leg. Towards the end of the innings, KXIP skipper Ravichandran Ashwin showed his batting side, something which wasn't very common in the IPL.
Ashwin played some brilliant shots and went on to score 45 from just 22 deliveries before being dismissed by Prasidh Krishna in the third ball of the final over.
KXIP eventually ended their innings at 214/8, falling 31 runs short. KKR's victory saw them go up to the fourth position in the table while KXIP remained at No.3.
The match saw an aggregate of 459 runs scored which is the second highest aggregate in IPL history.
Sunil Narine was adjudged the Man of the Match for his 75 and for getting the crucial wicket of KL Rahul. Sure chasing down 245 is no piece of cake but looking at Rahul's consistency throughout the tournament and the way he was batting, had he stayed, KXIP might have stood a strong chance of chasing it down.
KXIP will now take on Royal Challengers Bangalore at Indore on Monday while Kolkata Knight Riders will go back to Eden Gardens to play Rajasthan Royals.
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