IPL 2020, KKR vs KXIP: Kolkata Knight Riders beat Kings XI Punjab by 2 runs in a last over thriller
In the 24th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) beat Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) by 2 runs at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi in a last over thriller. Skipper Dinesh Karthik's explosive knock of 58 runs aided KKR is setting a target of 165 runs for the KXIP to chase in today's match. KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal's 100+ runs partnership helped KXIP goes in vain in making a comeback for the team in the 13th edition of IPL with their unsuccessful chase today. Mayank Agarwal played a brilliant knock of 56 runs off 39 balls for the KXIP today while skipper made explosive 74 runs off 58 balls. With today's win, KKR now stands at the 3rd position in the points table of IPL 2020. Prasidh Krishna shined today for the KKR with him grabbing 3 crucial wickets today.
Skipper Dinesh Karthik won the toss and elected to bat first. Kolkata Knight Riders had a bumpy start today with opener and last match's super striker Rahul Tripathi's early wicket. Tripathi struggled against the KXIP bowlers in the beginning and lost his wicket after making just 4 runs off 10 balls today. However, the other opener Shubhman Gill played an amazing innings today with his knock of 57 runs off 47 before getting run out. Nitish Rana lost his wicket super soon and made only 2 runs for the KKR today. Eoin Morgan after losing an early wicket in his previous match, played a safe game today but could only make 24 runs off 23 balls for the KKR today. Skipper Dinesh Karthik after a rough start this season in the batting front, played an explosive innings of 58 runs off 29 balls aided by 2 sixes and 8 fours for the KKR today. Karthik had an amazing strike rate of 200 today, but despite his efforts, KKR could only set a low target of 165 runs for the KXIP to chase. While Karthik lost his wicket in a reckless run out in the death overs, Andre Russell and Pat Cummins could only add a few runs to the run tally of KKR. Arshdeep Singh and Ravi Bishnoi remained the most economical bowlers in their spells of 4 overs while also grabbing a wicket today.
After limiting the run tally of Kolkata Knight Riders to a low score, Kings XI Punjab were off to a great start aided by Skipper KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal's wonderful partnership today. While the Skipper made runs 74 runs 58 balls, his opening partner Agarwal played an innings of 56 runs off 39 balls. After the fall of Agarwal's wicket, Nicholas Pooran joined the Skipper in chasing down the target given by KKR. However, Pooran lost his wicket after making 16 runs off 10 balls. Prabhsimran Singh came to the crease but also lost his wicket in the early making just 4 runs for the KXIP today. Glenn Maxwell came to the crease to support the Rahul in the run chase but KXIP remained unsuccessful to win today despite the brilliant knocks by the openers. Prasidh Krishna remained the most successful bowler for the KKR and took 3 crucial wickets today.
