DC 153/9 in 20 overs (Kuldeep Yadav 35(26); Rishabh Pant 27(20); Varun Chakaravarthy 3/16 in 4 overs) lost to KKR 157/3 in 16.3 overs (Phil Salt 68(33), Shreyas Iyer 33(23); Axar Patel 2/25 in 4 overs)
The Kolkata Knight Riders met the Delhi Capitals in an important clash at the iconic Eden Gardens stadium. After a thumping win in their last game against DC, KKR came out with confidence and an added advantage on their side. After being put into bowl first, KKR looked to start well and pick up a few wickets in the powerplay and apply pressure on the DC batters. The returning Vaibhav Arora gave an impressive start to the KKR unit by picking up an important wicket of Prithvi Shaw. After that, the KKR bowlers were all over the DC batters in the powerplay. KKR picked three wickets in the powerplay and kept things quiet for a substantial period of time. Accurate lines and lengths along with bowling to certain plans, helped the KKR bowlers get a lot of control in the innings. They allowed no respite to the DC batters and made sure DC did stitch any big partnerships. Kuldeep Yadav’s late overs blitz salvaged a struggling DC innings, however it was KKR all through the innings as they restricted the opposition to a modest 153 runs.
In the run-chase, KKR started off in the same explosive fashion as they have all throughout this tournament. Phil Salt absolutely teared into the DC bowlers from ball one. The Englishman smeared a 26-ball fifty to provide KKR with a perfect start. KKR smashed 79 off the powerplay and put themselves in the driving seat and looked to cruise to victory. Soon after the powerplay, Narine fell to Axar as DC looked to grab some advantage. Despite a little blip with the couple of wickets falling in quick succession, KKR cruised to the total quite easily. Captain Shreyas Iyer alongside Venkatesh Iyer steered KKR to the target comfortably. A gorgeous shot over extra-cover culminated an exquisite victory for KKR. Now they move ahead into their away games with a lot of confidence in their side and a sense of belief to qualify to the playoffs in comfortable fashion.
