IPL 2020: KXIP vs KKR Review – Narine, Prasidh snatch victory from jaws of defeat
Once again, Kings XI Punjab somehow managed to lose the game from a winning position in IPL 2020, this time against the Kolkata Knight Riders. Needing 29 off last four overs with nine wickets in hand, the KL Rahul-led side ended up losing the game by 2 runs in the end in one of the most sensational chokes in T20 cricket. KKR were clinical with both, bat and ball.
Earlier, half-centuries from Shubman Gill and Dinesh Karthik helped KKR post a competitive total of 164 runs. The latter was the main reason for them crossing the 150-run mark as they were largely going at less than run-a-ball until the end of the 13th over. This is when Karthik upped the ante taking on the KXIP bowlers while Gill dropped anchor.
KKR skipper’s 23-ball half-century was crucial for the team while Gill got out in the 18th over after mustering 57 runs. Arshdeep Singh bowled well for KXIP at the death ending with the figures of 1/25.
The chase was all about KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal as the duo batted superbly to stitch their second 100+ partnership. They got to their respective half-centuries as well before the latter got out. Nicholas Pooran walked in to play some good shots only to get out at the wrong time in the 18th over. This is when KKR started to tighten things and eventually choked KXIP to win the game by 2 runs.
Turning Points
Narine’s 18th over: Dinesh Karthik, as he did against CSK, held back Sunil Narine smartly and the Caribbean delivered yet again. He castled Nicholas Pooran in the 18th over when KXIP needed 22 off the last three overs and then ended up conceding only two runs in the over. Prasidh Krishna then bowled an exceptional penultimate over only to help Narine live up to the expectation and pull off a heist.
Top performers
Records/Personal Milestones
- Mohammed Shami completed 50 IPL wickets
- Eoin Morgan completed 1000 runs in the IPL
Way ahead
Both KKR and KXIP will face the Royal Challengers Bangalore in their next game. KKR will be back on the field on Monday while KXIP have got a much-needed break and they will face Virat Kohli & co on Thursday.
