IPL 2018: 49th Match, KKR vs RR - Match Report
Published - 16 May 2018, 10:54 AM | Updated - 22 Aug 2024, 11:51 PM
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) bagged two crucial points as they inch closer to the playoffs on Tuesday night while Rajasthan Royals (RR) by six wickets convincingly at the Eden Gardens.
As a result, Kolkata jumps off to the third spot with 14 points from 13 outings inching closer to the playoffs.
Batting first, the visitors were off to a flier courtesy Jos Buttler. He continued this red-hot form as he blasted the young Kolkata seamer. Rahul Tripathi (27) joined him soon to the party to take the attack to the opposition early.
However, Kolkata drew first blood in the fifth over when Andre Russell removed Rahul Tripathi. This saw a dip in the run-rate as the Kolkata bowlers took back the charge.
Since then, they dominated the game to bundle out Rajasthan for 142 runs. Left-arm leg-spinner Kuldeep Yadav returned with four for 20 in his four overs – to rattle the Royals middle-order line-up.
It was Jaydev Unadkat’s effort with the bat that took the team close to 150-run mark Prasidh Krishna hammered the last nail in the coffin.
Meanwhile, 142 was never going to threaten, surely not on a small ground, and not with dew setting in, eventually not when the Royals bowling has lacked teeth and by far not when the opposition ranks have batsmen in such form.
Kolkata got off to a flier banking on Sunil Narine exploits at the top. He quickly took the attack to the opposition to set the tone of the game. Since then, it was a cake walk for the host as they crossed the rope with six wickets in hand.
Chris Lynn (45) played a responsible knock to keep the momentum with themselves. However, Dinesh Karthik’s (41*) little cameo at the end saw them home.
Meanwhile, Kolkata will qualify for the playoffs if they win their last game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 19. However, things will get tough for the Royals as they will have to look for other teams along with winning their last game to seal a place in the top four.
Brief Score: RR 142 ( Buttler 39, Kuldeep 4/20) lose to KKR 145/4 (Karthik 41*, Stokes 3/15) by six wickets.
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