IPL 2020: KKR vs KXIP Review – Punjab storm into Top 4 with 5th win on the trot

Kolkata Knight Riders and Kings XI Punjab locked horns in the most crucial match of IPL 2020 on Monday. But it turned out to be a one-sided affair in the end. It was the high-flying Punjab who put their best foot forward to strengthen their case for the playoffs.

KXIP opted to field first after winning the toss and were quick to reduce KKR to 10/3 as early as in the second over thanks to Mohammed Shami and Glenn Maxwell. But Eoin Morgan and Shubman Gill then joined hands to launch a counter-attack which KXIP were least expecting. The duo added 81 in just 47 deliveries and KKR looked set to post a huge total. But the spin twins of KXIP, Ashwin and Bishnoi bowled superbly in tandem to share four wickets between them in eight overs conceding only 45 runs. After Morgan got out and despite Gill scoring a fighting fifty, KKR slipped in the last seven overs, posting just 149/9 in their 20 overs.

The chase was tricky for KXIP on a slow and turning pitch. Their openers Mandeep Singh and KL Rahul started well but their run-rate was below six during the 47-run stand. Moreover, the latter getting out to Varun Chakravarthy in the eighth over must have given hopes to KKR. But Chris Gayle had other ideas.

The Universe Boss came out and bludgeoned the ball with disdain to leave the bowlers stunned. His aggression brushed on Mandeep’s shoulders as well and the duo was mixing it up pretty well. They added exactly 100 runs in 61 balls before Gayle got out. But the job was done by then with Gayle scoring 51 off 29 balls, while Mandeep remained unbeaten on 66 off 56 balls with KXIP chasing down the target in the 19th over.

Turning Point

Shami’s over – While the world is praising Gayle and Mandeep for their scintillating batting, Shami’s exceptional new-ball bowling has gone under the radar. It was him who swung the new ball superbly first up and took crucial wickets of Rahul Tripathi and Dinesh Karthik. He reduced KKR to 10/3 and made sure they didn’t get off to a brilliant start on a flat pitch. It made the difference in the end as KXIP were able to restrict and achieve a relatively sub-par total.

Top performers

Records/Milestones

• Chris Gayle and Mandeep Singh completed 1000 IPL runs for KXIP in this match
• Chris Gayle has now scored six back to back T20 fifties in Sharjah
• Glenn Maxwell completed 100 T20 wickets

Way Ahead

As the tournament moves into its last week of the league stage, KKR next face CSK on Thursday while Punjab will lock horns against Rajasthan Royals on Friday.