KNIGHT RIDERS TAME ROYALS
Kolkata Knight Riders put up a sterling all-round performance to end Rajasthan Royals twomatch winning streak with a comfortable seven wickets win in an Indian Premier League match at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Wednesday.
KKR skipper Dinesh Karthik’s decision to field after winning the toss, proved right as their bowlers picked up wickets at regular intervals to restrict Rajasthan Royals to 160 for 8 in 20 overs.
Chasing the modest target, KKR despite losing opener Chris Lynn early, maintained their hold on the proceedings with Sunil Narine (35) and Robin Uthappa (48 off 36 balls) put on a 70-run second wicket partnership. Nitish Rana (35 not out) and Karthik ( 42 not out) put on a 61-run unbeaten fourth wicket partnership to ensure KKR cruise home with seven balls to spare.
Earlier, Sunil Narine had an off day leaking 48 runs in four overs without taking a wicket but in-form Nitish Rana put his hand up to remove openers Ajinkya Rahane (36; 19b 5x4 1x6) and D’Arcy Short (44; 43b 5x4 1x6) while Tom Curran shaved off the lower order with two scalps in two deliveries.
For the hosts, Short was the topscorer but never got going while explosive England wicketkeeperbatsman Jos Buttler helped them reach a fighting target with a 18ball 24 not out. In the last over, young fast bowler Shivam Mavi (1/40) bowled three wide balls and Chris Lynn dropped Dhawal Kulkarni (3) who was later run out.
The visitors were given a good start by spinners Piyush Chawla (1/18) and Kuldeep Yadav (1/23) who combined well to leak just nine runs in the first three overs.
Rahane then took on Narine, the most economical bowler in the IPL so far, hitting him for four back-toback fours straight up. The India Test team vice-captain swept and drove the West Indian mystery spinner with aplomb to garner 18 runs off the over. Rahane looked in sublime form as he smashed Mavi for a flat six down the wicket in the next over as Short also milked the U-19 World Cup winner for a boundary. After six overs, RR were 48/0.
RR then lost two quick wickets. First, Karthik effected a brilliant diving run out to get rid of the dangerous Rahane off Nitish Rana, breaking the 54-run opening wicket stand between him and Short.
Sanju Samson, whose unbeaten 45-ball 92 helped RR win against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the last game, followed suit soon after, picking out Kuldeep at deep midwicket off Mavi who bowled really well to cramp the Kerala batsman for room. —