In the Qualifier 2 of IPL 2018, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) clinched a brilliant 14-run victory against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens (Kolkata) on Friday night and advanced to the final of the tournament. SRH scored 174/7 in 20 overs while KKR managed to score 160/9 at the end on 20 overs.
KKR skipper Dinesh Karthik decided to field first after winning the toss. SRH had a good start as their openers Wriddhiman Saha and Shikhar Dhawan put a 56-run partnership. But after their opening wicket fell, SRH lost their wickets in regular intervals.
Openers Saha and Dhawan were dismissed on 35 and 34 runs respectively, while the in-form skipper Kane Williamson scored just 3 runs. Shakib Al Hassan (28 runs) and Deepak Hooda (19 runs) tried to manage that tough situation but failed to play the big knocks.
In 18.1 overs, SRH was at 138/7 and the 160+ total was looking very far. But, Rashid Khan played stormy knock at the end as he scored an unbeaten 34 runs off just 10 balls. That knock helped SRH to put a total of 174/7 on that board at the end of 20 overs.
Among the KKR bowlers, Kuldeep Yadav (2/29) got two wickets while Shivam Mavi (1/33), Sunil Narine (1/24) and Piyush Chawla (1/22) picked up one wicket each.
Chasing down that target, KKR had a thrashing start as they scored 67/1 at the end of the powerplay. Opener Sunil Narine provided another good start as this time he scored 26 runs off just 13 balls and also provided a 40-run opening partnership with his partner Chris Lynn.
They had another good partnership for the second wicket as Lynn and Nitish Rana put a 47-run partnership. But after losing that wicket, KKR batting totally collapsed. Nitish Rana was run-out on 22 runs while Lynn was dismissed on 48 runs.
Only Shubman Gill tried hard till the end but he didn’t get enough support to reach the target. Gill was dismissed at the end moment after scoring an impressive 30 runs off 20 balls. However, KKR finally scored 160/9 at the end of 20 overs as SRH reached the final after winning this game by 14 runs.
Among the SRH bowlers, Rashid Khan was the best bowler with 4-0-19-3 bowling figure. Also, Siddarth Kaul (2/32) and Carlos Brathwaite (2/16) picked up two wickets each while Shakib Al Hasan (1/16) got one wicket.
Here are some Twitter reactions:
Well was not to be. Will have to cancel my flight but KKR well done. U did yourself proud. All of u so so well done. Love you & yes I am smiling. Thks for the entertainment & so many moments of glory. V r an awesome team! pic.twitter.com/BtGDrikag5
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) May 25, 2018
This was @rashidkhan_19 ‘s day and when it is the day of a top player, his team invariably wins. Congratulations @SunRisers . The two top teams meet in the final on Sunday, must be a fascinating contest #KKRVSRH
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) May 25, 2018
Dinesh Karthik now holds the record of scoring most runs by a wicket-keeper captain in an IPL season, surpassing Adam Gilchrist's tally of 495 runs in 2009.#SRHvKKR
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) May 25, 2018
Terrible shot adds to horrid season for Robbie Uthapa.
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) May 25, 2018
Any doubt that pocket-sized dynamo Rashid Khan will be MoM?
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) May 25, 2018
Got to hand it to #KKR for the way they fought right through….played with only three overseas players today too. Invested in youngsters and they did deliver throughout. Well played, #KKR. #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 25, 2018
I think Rashid Khan could discover a new planet in the solar system or a new element in the periodic table today
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 25, 2018
Has anyone ever had a better T20 match? 35 off 10 balls. 3 for 18, and two catches. The best strike rate, the best economy rate, and the most wickets. Rashid Khan could have parted the sea today
— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) May 25, 2018
Rashid khan great bowling but at the same time Brilliant captainship by cane Williamson. The way he is seting the fielding to different bastmen according to their n bowlers strength. Who is winning it guys??? #SRHvsKKR
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 25, 2018
#SRHvKKR
Rashid Khan will now save a few boundaries, take a spectacular catch, put one direct hit, and also drive the team bus back to the hotel.— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) May 25, 2018
Deserved to be in the finals! @SunRisers … Rashid – what a match he’s had! so happy for Kane Williamson! It’s Gonna be one helluva final! #KKRvsSRH
— Ranveer Singh (@RanveerOfficial) May 25, 2018
Rashid Khan must be feeling like Taimur Ali Khan today. All cameras on him! #SRHvKKR #KKRvSRH
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) May 25, 2018
SRH without Rashid Khan is like a plane without a pilot. #KKRvsSRH
— Aashish Kushwaha (@thescorpionsoul) May 25, 2018
Whattay game changer is young @rashidkhan_19 – fabulous spin bowler, fantastic fielder & an unpredictable hitter too. He moves so fast! Worth his weight in gold, for #SRH #RashidKhan #KKRvsSRH
— Kaushik LM (@LMKMovieManiac) May 25, 2018
