*KKR VS PBKS REVIEW*
*KKR MAXIMISE ON HOME ADVANTAGE:*
Heartbeats are bound to get faster as the IPL intensifies. Today was another instance of the incredible nature of this tournament, serving us another tasty contest on the platter. KKR came out on top in what was a tactically poor day for Shikhar and his side. They used the conditions perfectly, to their advantage and brought the best out of their spinners (with Rana as the fourth spin option chipping in with an over) and outplayed the opposition.
Bowling first, their spin trio accounted for collective figures of 5/86 after 13 overs, being miser at best vs the opposition. Though their pacers received a good beating, they were able to restrict Punjab, collectively for a score of 179/7 after 20 overs. Shikhar Dhawan while amongst the runs couldn’t quite accelerate at the back end falling for a 47 ball 57 eventually.
A target of 180 on this track which was offering grip for spinners was a good score, now only if the defence from Punjab would have been better, they could have registered another two points on the table.
*CLUELESS PUNJAB GIFT A WIN TO KKR TO KEEP THE POINTS TABLE GUESSING:*
Chasing 180, KKR got off to a brisk start ranking up 36 without loss in the first four overs. But Gurbaz falling for 15 allowed skipper Rana to take charge and he did not disappoint. Scoring another half century, this time off 38 balls, both Roy and Rana were going along nicely but a timely dismissal of Roy allowed PBKS to get back in the game. Venkatesh Iyer, who came out struggled bigtime as his struggle finally ended for a 13 ball 11, failing to leggie Rahul Chahar. Chahar in particular was phenomenal for PBKS, going at under 6 an over and dismissing first Iyer and next gave a big blow by sending Rana back to the hut. What followed this was pure entertainment and carnage by two of KKR’s very favourite power hitters in Andre Russell who was in the middle of an average tourney so far and Rinku Singh, who always throws up something special. While Rinku played a stunning cameo of 21 runs off 10 balls, Russell stepped up his game and smashed a 23 ball 42, delivering 3 sixes and 3 fours. Taking Sam Curran for three sixes in an over, the game was nearly set but the mastery of Arshdeep took it down till the final ball as KKR rose to a come from behind win to get back in the Top 6, and very much in the reckoning for a playoff spot.