I think all eight teams strive for the play-off spots, so happy to reach there: Dinesh Karthik

The Kolkata Knight Riders qualified for the playoffs as they registered an impressive 6 wickets victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 54^th match of the competition. KKR in all likelihood will face Mumbai Indians in the eliminator clash if MI manages to win their final match against Delhi Daredevils tomorrow. It was a good all-round performance by KKR which eventually helped them go through to the playoffs. Prasid Krishna produced a magnificent spell of bowling and returned with figures of 4/30.

While chasing KKR reached the target with utmost comfort in the end courtesy brilliant knock from Chris Lynn. After batting first Hyderabad got off to a pretty steady start. Openers Shikhar Dhawan and Shreevats Goswami got them off to a steady start. After a partnership of 79 runs between the duo, Goswami was dismissed after scoring 35.

Skipper Kane Williamson played yet another brilliant knock. However, he was dismissed after making 37 in very quick time. KKR made a terrific comeback during the later stages of the innings. It was some terrific bowling by Prasidh Krishna in particular which restricted Hyderabad to 172 in their 20 overs.  Hyderabad looked well in pursuit of a score of score of more than 200 runs.

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Kolkata got off to a brilliant start courtesy openers Chris Lynn and Sunil Narine. Narine, in particular, looked in sensational touch. The southpaw was at his imperious best and helped KKR reach 30 in the first couple of overs. Lynn also joined in the act with some lusty blows. Narine was eventually dismissed after scoring 29 of just 10 deliveries which included 4 fours and a couple of sixes.

Robin Uthappa also played a fluent knock of 45 runs 34 deliveries which contained 3 fours and a couple of sixes. The Hyderabad bowlers bowled well towards the later stages. However, it was some good batt8ing by Kolkata which eventually helped them reach the target in the final over with just a couple of deliveries to spare.

Now here is what winning skipper Dinesh Karthik said at the post-match presentation

“I think all eight teams strive for the play-off spots, so happy to reach there. Things are slowly settling down. Just the way we are playing shows good character. I’d like to think that (we’re peaking at the right time).”

Also Read: IPL 2018: Match 54 – Kolkata Knight Riders Beats Sunrisers Hyderabad by 5 Wickets