Kolkata Knight Riders continued their fiery run at the ongoing IPL with an eight-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants at Eden Gardens on Sunday. Asked to bat first, LSG could only post a total of 161/7 in 20 overs with Mitchell Starc scalping three wickets. Later, KKR chased down the target is just 15.4 overs with Phil Salt (89*) and skipper Shreyas Iyer (38*) stitching a terrific partnership. Apart from shining with the bat, KKR also impressed fans and their co-owner Shah Rukh Khan, with their brilliant fielding to dismiss Deepak Hooda.
In the 5th over of LSG’s innings, pacer Starc delivered a wide of off-stump delivery to Hooda, who got confused and played a powerful open-faced drive. Ramandeep Singh, who was placed at the backward point, made no mistake and dived towards right and took a stunning catch.
As the entire crowd was left awestruck, Shah Rukh Khan gave a standing ovation and lauded Ramandeep for his mind blowing catch.
Talking about the match, Salt’s magnificent 89 not out complemented pacer Starc’s brilliant bowling show as KKR began their five-match home stretch with a one-sided eight-wicket win over LSG.
The IPL’s record buy Starc, who copped criticism for taking just two wickets from four matches and leaking 11 runs per over, grabbed 3/28, while Sunil Narine returned with figures of 1/17 in his miserly spell as LSG scored a below-par 161/7 after KKR opted to bowl.
“Pretty much comprehensive victory. Fielded well and bowled well. Was important to bowl slower ones as much as possible because of the heat and the wicket becoming dry. We executed phenomenally well. When we got wickets, it gave us the advantage to come in and put an attacking effort. Character and attitude bowlers showed was exceptional. Will keep reiterating that it’s a funny tournament and have to stay in the present as much as possible. Have to seize the moment and not leave it on someone else,” said KKR skipper Iyer after the victory.
After this win, KKR will now be squaring off against Rajasthan Royals in their IPL 2024 match on Tuesday in Kolkata.
