City stadium bolsters its image as a batters’ paradise
Fans watch awestruck as Kolkata Knight Riders posts secondhighest IPL total of all time, going on to beat Delhi Capitals by over 100 runs; a large crowd turns up despite it being a working day
The ACAVDCA Stadium bolstered its reputation as a batters’ paradise with yet another monumental display of powerhitting, with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) smashing 272 runs after winning the toss and electing to bat first against Delhi Capitals (DC), falling just a few runs short of the highestever IPL total of 277 which was registered by SRH against MI in Hyderabad.
A packed crowd watched awestruck as the KKR batters clinically demolished the DC lineup without pausing for breath. Many of the spectators were those who were unable to get tickets for the earlier match here between CSK and DC, which witnessed similar fireworks from MS Dhoni.
The disappointment of having missed that match, however, was quickly forgotten by the fans who were treated to the secondhighest score of all time in IPL history. The stadium etched its name in IPL annals by becoming the highestever score ever recorded by a team playing away from its main home venue.
The first innings was a complete batting display by KKR. Right from the powerplay, Sunil Narine, who opened for KKR for the second time this season, gave a blistering start. His innings of 85 included seven monstrous sixes.
A. Santosh said it was a match to remember. “I was unable to get tickets for the DCCSK match. But I got lucky this time. My sons had a blast watching their favourite team post the secondhighest total of all time in IPL,” Mr. Santosh said.
Fans welcome SRK
Bollywood star and KKR coowner Shah Rukh Khan was present in the audience. Fans cheered loudly as cameras showed him entering the venue. “I was overjoyed to see SRK just a short distance away from where we were sitting. I want to thank DC for choosing Vizag as their second home, and I hope Vizag gets to host a few IPL matches every year,” said G. Lakshmi Pranathi from Visalakshi Nagar in city.