IPL 2018: Match 44, Kings XI Punjab vs Kolkata Knight Riders - Five Game-Changing Moments
Published - 12 May 2018, 10:04 PM | Updated - 22 Aug 2024, 11:51 PM
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The first match of Super Sunday saw a clash between Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders which proved to be a run-fest where both the teams scored over 210.
Indore’s flat pitch turned out to be a bowlers’ graveyard, with all bowlers being taken to the cleaners.
Let us look at the game-changing moments from the match.
Sunil Narine’s onslaught
The Caribbeans were unstoppable with the bat today, as Sunil Narine started out the trend with his 36-ball 75, which came at a strike rate of 208.
Narine took the Kings XI Punjab bowlers to the cleaners with his nine boundaries and four sixes. On a visible batsman’s paradise, it was Narine who assured Kolkata Knight Riders batsman enjoyed a feast.
Dinesh Karthik’s half-century
Dinesh Karthik scored his first fifty of the season off just 22 deliveries. DK’s flamboyant knock during the middle overs ensured KKR did not leave their foot off the accelerator. DK’s knock, coming at a strike rate of 217, consisted off five boundaries and three sixes, propelling KKR’s target well over 200.
Russell Muscle
Carrying on from Sunil Narine, the other West Indian in the XI, Andre Russell registered yet another blistering cameo of 31, which came off just 14 balls, which included two boundaries and three maximums. Russell played a more prominent role with the ball, as he took the winds away from the hosts with the bumper wickets of Chris Gayle, Karun Nair, and Mayank Agarwal.
KL Rahul’s dismissal
The only man in form this season for Kings XI Punjab in the recent games, KL Rahul, threatened to chase down the total all by himself yet again with his 29-ball 69.
Scoring at a flamboyant rate of 227, Rahul smashed a whopping seven maximums and two boundaries during his knock. Unfortunately, KXIP applied too much pressure on him yet again with the fall of wickets, before Sunil Narine foxed him.
The dismissal of their ace batsman turned out to be the game-changing moment in the match.
KKR spin web/KXIP middle order muddle
Kolkata Knight Riders yet again entrapped their opposition with their spin web. Also, the no show from the middle order, did not help the cause of the hosts.
In the end, KKR, coming from a horrific loss, ended up with a thumping win of 31 runs, upsetting the hosts.
