Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) still have a chance of reaching Indian Premier League (IPL) playoffs with a seven-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. The batter who warmed the benches for half the season – Rinku Singh -- turned out to be the saviour KKR were searching for in the middle order as he took on one of the best bowling lineups of the tournament.
No Buttler special
In-form Umesh Yadav took the first breakthrough by sending Devdutt Padikkal back to the pavillion. Umesh took an excellent catch on his follow-through. In the first four overs, just 12 runs were scored. Sanju Samson's arrival to the crease led to some boundaries during the fielding restrictions.
However, the orange cap holder Jos Buttler did not look as lethal as he has been in the tournament. Buttler got dismissed by Tim Southee in the ninth over for a 25-ball 22. Shivam Mavi took an excellent catch at long-on.
Samson’s slow fifty
In the middle overs, Samson tried to accelerate with Karun Nair playing second fiddle. However, debutant Roy got the wicket of Nair which slowed down the proceedings. Samson got to his half-century from 38 deliveries but then struggle to score. Riyan Parag hit a few big shots but Southee came back into the attack to get his wicket.
On the first ball of next over, Mavi got rid of Samson as well. The skipper got out for a 49-ball 54 as he did not attack after getting to his half-century.
Hetmyer’s cameo
In the slog overs, Shimron Hetmyer took on Southee, hitting him for two consecutive sixes in the penultimate over. The Kiwi pacer leaked 20 runs from the over. The Caribbean big-hitting batter helped Royals finish well and post a fighting total of 152/5. The southpaw contributed with a 13-ball 27.
Openers disappoint again
KKR made another chance to their opening combination but it did not work for them. Baba Aprajith and Aaron Finch struggled in the powerplay overs. Finch was the first to fall. Kuldeep Sen got through him in his second over. Aprajith did not last long at the crease as he got out in the final over of the powerplay overs to Prasidh Krishna. The wicketkeeper-batter scored 15 runs from 16 deliveries.
Crucial partnership
Skipper Shreyas Iyer and Nitish Rana were slow in the initial stages of their partnership but accelerated with slog overs approaching. The two shared a 60-run partnership. Shreyas scored 34 runs from 32 deliveries including three fours and one six. Just when he was starting to get destructive against spinners, Samson brought back Trent Boult into the attack to get the breakthrough.
Rinku turns finisher
Rana was joined by Rinku Singh. Promoted up the order, Rinku got on the job straightaway without wasting too many deliveries. He did not let Yuzvendra Chahal dominate and kept Knight Riders ahead of the game. From 39 runs needed off 24 deliveries, KKR finished the game with five balls to spare amidst a few questionable calls for wides by the umpires. Rana was not as destructive as Rinku but held on to one end. While Rinku contributed with a 37-ball 48, Rinku scored 48 off 37 deliveries.
