The first Qualifier of the 2014 edition of the Indian Premier League witnessed fast bowling on the highest calibre as Umesh Yadav wrecked through the batting unit of Kings XI Punjab (now known as Punjab Kings) with three wickets for 13 runs in his four overs.
Watch the highlights of the game Here:
Video hosted on BCCI/www.iplt20.com website
The Kolkata Knight Riders set foot at the iconic Eden Gardens for this high voltage clash after registering seven wins on the trot in the second half of the league. With chances of rain and the sluggish wicket on offer, the Gautam Gambhir led unit was asked to bat first.
Riding on Robin Uthappa's 42 off 30 deliveries and contributions from the middle order, the home team managed to score 163 runs for the loss of eight wickets in the first innings.
Chasing 164 runs in front of a packed crowd at the Eden Gardens, the Punjab outfit was jolted with a big wicket of Virender Sehwag in the second over of the innings by Umesh Yadav.
Watch the opening wicket Here:
Video hosted on BCCI/www.iplt20.com website
One of the mainstays in the bowling unit of the Knights, Yadav has shouldered the responsibility of bowling in the powerplay along with Morne Morkel.
Targeting the stumps and consistently bowling in the right areas, Yadav trapped Glenn Maxwell right in front of the stumps in the middle overs to help the Knight Riders gain the upper hand in this contest.
Watch the wicket Here:
Video hosted on BCCI/www.iplt20.com website
Two wickets for 12 runs in the first spell by Umesh Yadav meant the visiting side were reeling at 55 for the loss of three wickets by the end of eight overs. Consistency of the bowling unit and brilliance in the field resulted with the boys in Purple and Gold conceding just 24 runs in the middle overs.
With 30 runs needed off the final over, Yadav picked up the vital wicket of George Bailey off the first ball to seal the match in favour of the home team.
Watch the crucial wicket Here:
Video hosted on BCCI/www.iplt20.com website
Making optimum use of the variations in his arsenal, he finished the final over by conceding a solitary run to guide the Knight Riders to the summit clash.
He was adjudged the player of the match for his spell of 3 for 13 in four overs and helped the team register a comprehensive 28 run win.
