On this day in 2012: Kolkata Knight Riders win their maiden IPL title
27th May 2012 is an important date in the history of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise. For, it was on this date that the Kolkata side won their first-ever IPL title defeating the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) outfit. In a high scoring roller coaster, it was the Kolkata outfit that managed to come on top against the ‘Men in Yellow’.
The MS Dhoni-led CSK side won the toss and decided to wield the willow first. And, Chennai produced a scintillating performance with the willow. The CSK openers gave a magnificent start, putting on 87 runs off just 10.2 overs. While Michael Hussey scored 54 off 43 deliveries, Murali Vijay helped himself to a 32-ball 42.
But then, it was Suresh Raina who pressed on the accelerator and gave the CSK side the much-needed momentum. The left-hander smashed 73 runs at a strike rate of 192.10, as CSK ended their first innings with the scorecard reading 190/3 in 20 overs.
For the Kolkata side, the likes of Shakib al Hasan, Jacques Kallis and Rajat Bhatia scalped a wicket apiece. In reply, it was the Manvinder Bisla special that helped the Gautam Gambhir-led Kolkata side canter past the target. The right-hander scored a belligerent 89 off 48 deliveries at the top of the order. He was ably supported by South African legend Jacques Kallis.
In fact, it was the 136-run partnership between Bisla and Kallis that put the Kolkata side in the driver’s seat. Kallis scored a superb 49-ball 69 with the willow. And in the end, the Kolkata Knight Riders went past the target of 191 with 5 wickets and 2 balls to spare.
And, for his magical display with the bat, Kolkata opener Manvinder Bisla won the Player of the Match award. The Kolkata Knight Riders won their 2nd IPL title in the year 2014, defeating the Punjab Kings (PBKS) side. But 27th May 2012 will always remain a special day for the Kolkata side, as it was the first time that they tasted unprecedented success in the IPL.
