Riding on Mandeep Singh and Chris Gayle’s fifties, high-flying Kings XI Punjab thrashed KKR by eight wickets to register their fifth win on the trot and sixth of the season in 12 games. With the win, KXIP also moved to the fourth spot in the points table.
Chasing 150, KXIP were off a slow start as KL Rahul and Mandeep Singh took a cautious approach. The duo added 47 runs off as many balls before Varun Chakravarthy dismissed the KXIP skipper for 28. KXIP’s innings finally got the momentum in the 10th over bowled by Chakravarthy when Gayle hit two sixes and Mandeep hit one four.
Earlier in the game, KKR finished their innings on 149 for 9. Asked to bat first, the two-time champions were off to a disastrous start and were reduced to 10 for 3 inside two overs. Glenn Maxwell sent back Nitish Rana for a first ball duck before Mohammed Shami accounted for Rahul Tripathi and Dinesh Karthik.
Shubman Gill and Eoin Morgan then launched a fine counterattack to bring the innings back on track before KKR suffered another collapse. The duo added 81 runs in just 47 deliveries before Ravi Bishnoi accounted for the KKR skipper to turn the tide in his side’s favour.
From thereon, KKR kept losing wickets at regular intervals and eventually ended up on 149. Gill was the top-scorer for his side, scoring 57 off 45 balls while Morgan scored 40 from 25 balls. For KXIP, Shami was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 for 35 off his four overs.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the match:
not only is Chris Gayle the oldest of the 22 players involved in the game, he is also a couple of years older than the opposition coach! #KKRvKXIP #IPL2020
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) October 26, 2020
The longevity of @henrygayle is remarkable … he is the entertainer but let’s not forget how great he is as well … incredible career … one of the greatest white ball players … #IPL #UniverseBoss
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) October 26, 2020
Fifty in just 25 balls, the man who warmed the bench for half of the tournament, makes his comeback and hits his 2nd fifty in 5 matches. KXIP now on road to register their 5th consecutive win after that man’s return.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 26, 2020
Good for Mandeep Singh. To be playing after losing his dad in the past week. It’d so sweet if this is a match winning half century.
— Ian bishop (@irbishi) October 26, 2020
Very emotional and proud moment for #MandeepSingh . Well done Mandeep. #KKRvKXIP
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) October 26, 2020
Lost his father 3 days back ..still stayed in UAE and scored fifty today when his team needed him the most .. the love these players has for cricket is just ❤️
Mandeep singh ? pic.twitter.com/sJe9bKFfuu— Detective (@cheeku4042) October 26, 2020
Mandeep Singh looking to heaven after scoring fifty. His father will be really happy for the son.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 26, 2020
Mandeep Singh looking to heaven after scoring fifty. His father will be really happy for the son.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 26, 2020
Wonderful gesture by @klrahul11 and @anilkumble1074 to go out and meet Mandeep Singh, who lost his father only a couple of days back, on his half century during the time out. ???
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) October 26, 2020
*Punjab win all the matches when Gayle played for them*
KXIP fans to Gayle: pic.twitter.com/YqnR1bK8EP
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) October 26, 2020
KX1P in first 7 matches – 1 win.
KXIP in next 5 matches – 5 win.Few weeks ago they were placed 8th in the points table and now they are in 4th position – clinical victory over KKR – outplayed in all departments. They are looking dangerous in #IPL2020
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 26, 2020
#KKRvKXIP
Pic 1- KXIP in first six matches.
Pic 2- KXIP in last six matches. pic.twitter.com/gnFfTjJ5dx— Amardeep Shah?? (@sarcasticamar) October 26, 2020
He walks the talk! Calls himself #UniverseBoss, plays like one! @lionsdenkxip have won every match since he started playing!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 26, 2020
Resurgence of KXIP has been amazing. They beat DC, MI, RCB, SRH & KKR. Currently on fourth with 12 points & 2 matches to go. Chris Gayle has been the X factor. Rahul has been consistent. Shami: brilliant with the new ball. Bishnoi-Ashwin & Arshdeep are good. All’s well for KXIP
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) October 26, 2020
Your father must be so proud of you, watching you from heaven. Superb knock @mandeeps12 66 not out. it takes a lot of dedication and strong will to perform this way after losing your dear one. #Respect @lionsdenkxip @IPL #KKRvKXIP #IPL2020
— Vinay Kumar R (@Vinay_Kumar_R) October 26, 2020
Crucial points for @lionsdenkxip as they sneak ahead of @KKRiders on the points table.
Fine innings by @mandeeps12 and @henrygayle was just at his usual best. ??#KKRvKXIP #IPL2020
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 26, 2020