Match Details
Arya: It was always going to be a tricky run-chase for the Kolkata Knight Riders, especially on a sticky surface like this and there start was not the one they would have hoped for. New opening duo Sam Billings and Sunil Narine started off proceedings. KKR lost both openers very early which derailed their progress in the powerplay. It was an exceptional piece of fast bowling by the pace trio of Shami, Yash Dayal and Lockie Ferguson which put KKR on the backfoot right from the word go.
Nitish Rana also went early as KKR was reduced to 23/3 and they needed to play catch up for the rest of the run-chase. Shreyas Iyer played a few attacking shots and tried to get going. Rinku Singh joined him at the other end but the skipper soon fell to Yash Dayal as that delivery angled away from the right-hander and took a feather to the keeper. It was some great bowling upfront but Rinku Singh provided some momentum to KKR’s innings as he struck some impressive shots and got going.
From 34/4, Venkatesh Iyer joined Rinku Singh in the middle and tried to resurrect the run chase. They built a partnership of 35 runs and looked in good touch. However, Venkatesh Iyer lacked clarity in his game and couldn't quite shine in the new role for his franchise. The duo couldn’t quite carry on the good work as both gave away their wickets in crucial junctures of the match. Rashid Khan bowled superbly and bagged the wickets of Venkatesh Iyer and Shivam Mavi towards the back end to stall their progress.
Till the time, Andre Russell was there KKR knew that they are still in the game. Russell smashed some lusty blows of Yash Dayal to get going but got away one when he ended up pulling a short delivery from Dayal straight to the deep fine leg fielder. However, Dayal overstepped and Russel got a life. He kept them in the game and with 18 required of the last over, he smoked a straight six to bring the equation down to 12 of 5 deliveries. Joseph bowled a good short delivery to dismiss Russell and that was a too tall a task from thereon. Eventually, GT won by 8 runs.