The first match of Super Sunday between Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) saw the visitors clinch the match by 31 runs. KKR’s performance came as a treat after the horrendous performance against Mumbai Indians (MI).
However, Kings XI bowlers were taken to the cleaners by the KKR batsmen first up at the batsman’s paradise offered at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on Saturday (May 12) afternoon.
In addition, the likes of Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and Dinesh Karthik powered the Knights towards clinching a couple of desperate points over KXIP.
Photo by: Vipin Pawar /SPORTZPICS for BCCI
KKR’s thumping win over KXIP eclipsed powerful performances from the Andrew Tye and KL Rahul, who remain the shining light in a glum-looking dressing room.
Perhaps, the loss at home would trigger the think-tank to ponder about the over-dependence on Rahul and Tye in distinct departments of the game.
Except for Tye, all the bowlers proved to be expensive while conceding 245, KKR’s highest total in IPL history.
While Rahul held one end up with his strokeplay, the rest of the batsmen provided minimal support to the Karnataka batsman.
Photo by: Faheem Hussain /SPORTZPICS for BCCI
On the contrary, the likes of Chris Lynn, Robin Uthappa, and the lower order kept chipping in with their lethal cameos.
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Also, the victory at Indore means, Kolkata Knight Riders keeps themselves up and running for the business end of the tournament.
Whereas, KXIP undergoes a change in winning momentum due to the recent losses.
Here’s how Twitterati reacted:
"Why don't you send Ashwin on number 3 on the days when he plays good?" #KXIPvKKR pic.twitter.com/tn4GZlDsuP
— SAGAR (@sagarcasm) May 12, 2018
Excellent comeback today by @KKRiders after the previous game against MI. Requires a lot of character to come back from a loss like that. Kings 11 meanwhile have gotten themselves into a tricky situation after beginning well in the tournament #KXIPvKKR
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) May 12, 2018
It took 10 years for Kolkata Knight Riders to surpass their total of 222/3 in the first ever IPL match.
However, no KKR player has scored a century after Brendon McCullum's 158* in that game. #IPL2018 #KXIPvKKR
— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) May 12, 2018
So #KKR obviously had rocket fuel shots with lunch 🚀 #KXIPvKKR
— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) May 12, 2018
190 in 16 overs.
KKR be like..#KXIPvKKR pic.twitter.com/auM0F5ThRy— SHAH RUKH KHAN (@SRKsWarrior1__) May 12, 2018
Just In : "Indian Team is looking for a good explosive wicket keeper after constant failure of the current person in international matches. All keepers have stepped up this IPL to prove their worth, today was my day, hope they consider me as his replacement."
– Karthik #KXIPvKKR pic.twitter.com/tERQ7R5BA8
— TIMES HOW (@TiimesHow) May 12, 2018
#KXIPvKKR
Today, after the match.
DK: Machan, Narine, shall we go for some Punjabi cuisine?
Narine: Already had.— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) May 12, 2018
Strike Rates 🔥 INSANE 🙏🏻 #KXIPvKKR pic.twitter.com/eRFiqyeL4X
— Yash 🏏 (@YashR06) May 12, 2018
#KXIPvKKR still can't believe if it is the same team that played against mumbai indians last Wednesday! 😵😵
— Akshara#Mi💙 (@akshi_nair) May 12, 2018
Pic 1: how analysts say the pitch
Pic 2: how we saw it#KXIPvKKR pic.twitter.com/Qxnu2woYd7
— Baburao (@meriwalialaghai) May 12, 2018
If Russel had stayed till the end we would have witnessed the highest IPL score of all time. But this too is ok. Ok not great, no score is great on a ground where boundaries are 50m away.#KXIPvKKR
— SHAH RUKH KHAN (@SRKsWarrior1__) May 12, 2018
Javon Searless hits his first ball in IPL for a 6. What a debut with the bat #KXIPvKKR
— Abhishek 🇮🇳 #408 (@ImAbhishek7_) May 12, 2018
Indore ka Sakht Launda @Zakirism is in the house tonight!
No points for guessing which side he's on 😉#KXIPvKKR #IPL2018 #KKRHaiTaiyaar pic.twitter.com/6wBkN3Uv74— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) May 12, 2018
#KXIPvKKR
Narine opening the batting AND opening the bowling.
In my childhood that only happened when one guy owned the bat, ball and promised to buy lime juice for everyone.— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) May 12, 2018
What insane hitting Indore is witnessing today….Pitch is good but not as flat as the #KKR batsmen have made it look. Highest IPL 2018 score on the cards. #KXIPvKKR #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 12, 2018
A leaked picture of the Indore pitch for #KXIPvKKR tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/vPOqdyblYd
— Pratik (@fake_engineer7) May 11, 2018
KKR get their highest total.
Previous highest was 222 in the first ever IPL match against RCB in 2008. #KXIPvKKR
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) May 12, 2018
5 wins in first 6 matches with an absolutely "non-performing" middle order.
Then KXIP started tinkering with the playing XI – REST IS HISTORY😂😂😂 #KXIPvKKR— Naseer (@BeingYuvNaseer) May 12, 2018
50* Off 22 Balls. 5 Fours And 3 Sixes. What A Great Hitting By Dinesh Karthik. 💪🙏 #KXIPvKKR #KXIPvsKKR
— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadejaaaa) May 12, 2018
Kolkata Knight Riders' 245/6 today is……
Highest IPL total at Indore
Highest IPL total for KKR
Highest IPL total vs KXIP
Highest total in IPL2018
4th highest total in all IPL matches#KXIPvKKR #KKRvKXIP #IPL2018 #IPL— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) May 12, 2018
