Match Review-Kolkata Knight Riders Vs Kings XI Punjab- No.46-Dream 11 IPL 2020

 Welcome to another match review and today we are reviewing the knockout game that took place between KKR and KXIP.  Yes it is like a potential eliminator.  Because if KXIP lose, they could put a curtain to their tournament.  And also put the curtain on the likes of SRH and RR.  The game had such huge hype and expectations.  This match was equally important for KKR because they have to break their inconsistency, because, if they win one game, they lose the other, this has been their story this season.  So without any delay, let us get to the toss.  

1.  The Toss:

           KXIP had everthing going their way including the toss.  They won the toss far easily and elected to bowl first, which was a no brainer on a Sharjah Wicket which is very difficult to defend a total.  Both the teams had won their previous encounters and especially Punjab, who started their winning run by defeating RCB and have extended their winning run for 4 games until date.

  So they had no intentions of changing their team, because, they did not want to shake the balance in the team.  KKR still have not found balance in their bowling attack as their two young Indian Pacers are failing again and again.  But as far as this game is concerned, both teams were unchanged.  

2.  First Innings: 

           First innings went under way and KKR had setbacks after setbacks as Maxwell dismissed Rana for a duck and Shami came in to dismiss Tripathi.  Shami also sent Dinesh Karthik for a duck as well.

  Suddenly KKR just reminded themselves of CSK Who batted like nothing against MI.  But thank god that didn't happen, Morgan and Shubman Gill, then built a superb partnership for the fifth wicket.  Morgan was counter attacking the KXIP bowlers especially Arshdeep.  Shami was also taken for runs in his third over.  Then, the run rate slowly built up.  But once again KKR suffered another hurdle to their innings, as Captain Morgan perished to Ravi Bishnoi  just before the end of the 10th over.  Now, the score looked nice as they were scoring at a rate of 10 runs per over.  Narine joined Gill, but could not replicate his last match success.  Narine got out to Chris Jordan.  Now, suddenly the game looked nothing, because they had lost half of their line up for just 100 runs in mere 11 overs.  This was the start of their downfall because after that it was only the bowlers, obviously pat cummins and Nagarkoti can bat, but it is uncertain whether they have the goods to show at the Sharjah pitch.  To my bad, what I said was true.  KKR just played very poorly in the next 9 overs.  They could only score a mere 48 in their last 9 overs losing 5 wickets.  Gill got out cheaply.  Nagarkoti played like he is willing to get out any time.  Finally, Lockie Ferguson rescued them to post a decent total of 149.  But it was way below par.  So let us see whether KXIP could get to the top four or would KKR cement their place in the top four.

2.  Second Innings:   

            The Second innings started by and as usual Rahul was off to a flyer.  Mandeep was struggling to find runs as he was scoring below a strike rate of 100.  Mandeep and Rahul were slowly getting the runs come by.  They had a quiet powerplay with Prasidh Krishna, and Cummins bowling tough lengths.  Then, in the eighth over, Punjab lost their captain to Varun Chakravarthy.  Then, the boss stepped on to the pitch.  And after his arrival, not only KXIP started to score quickly, Mandeep Singh also started to score rapidly.  Mandeep was scoring at a rate of mid 70's, but when, Gayle started to counter attack Narine and Chakravarthy, the game shifted towards Punjab's grasp.  Nobody could stop Gayle force.  Gayle force was all over KKR and KKR bowlers were shattered.  Narine was good, but he too could not get any wicket.  Nagarkoti was not even given a chance to prove himself.  Gayle changed the mindset of Punjab and started attacking rapidly.  And the runs flew by.  After that there was nothing left in the game.  Punjab were simply cruising.  But finally Ferguson came in the 19th over to dismiss Gayle.  But Pooran and Mandeep saw them through that over and KXIP won the game very easily.  Gayle and Mandeep crossed 50's to see the kings through.

  Punjab's middle order was the one that was criticised a lot this season, because Mayank and Rahul would give a 100+ opening partnership, but the middle order would come and destroy it, this has been the story of Punjab.  But only until Gayle's comeback.  Since Gayle has comeback into the middle order of the team, Punjab have been solid in their middle order.  A funny fact is that, in their last two games, Rahul has not crossed a 30.  That is it, I am leaving you with the final summary.  

Finaly Summary:

            Interesting fact:  Gayle has Played 5 matches this season and Punjab have won all the 5 matches.  And it is true, Force can change the shape of an object, Gayle force has changed the Shape of Punjab.

             KKR: 149/9  20 Overs

             S.Gill: 57(45); E.Morgan: 40(25)

             M.Shami: 3/35 (4)

             KXIP:  150/2  18.5 Overs

             M.Singh: 66*(56); C.Gayle: 51(29)

             L.Ferguson: 1/32 (4)

Man Of The Match: C.H.Gayle (Kings XI Punjab)