In the Eliminator of IPL 2018, the hosts Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) beat Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 25 runs at Eden Gardens (Kolkata) on Wednesday night. KKR scored 169/7 in 20 overs while they restricted RR for just 144/4 at the end of 20 overs.
RR captain Ajinkya Rahane decided to field first after winning the toss. KKR went in deep trouble after their top-order batsmen fell early as they were once struggling 51/4. Among the top-four batsmen, three batsmen failed to reach the double-digit score while opener Chris Lynn was dismissed on 18 runs.
Since then, skipper Dinesh Karthik and Shubman Gill controlled that innings by providing a crucial 55-run partnership for the fifth wicket. While Gill departed on 28 runs, Karthik carried that innings with Andre Russell who played another impressive furious knock.
Karthik completed his half-century and was caught out on 52 runs off 38 balls with 4 fours and 2 sixes. Russell continued his innings till the end as he remained unbeaten on 49 runs off just 25 balls with 3 fours and 5 sixes.
With the help of some brilliant late knocks, KKR managed to put a respected total on the board as they scored 169/7 in 20 overs.
Among the RR bowlers, Krishnappa Gowtham (2/15), Jofra Archer (2/33) and Ben Laughlin (2/35) picked up 2 wickets each while Shreyas Gopal (1/34) got one wicket.
Chasing down that target, RR had a very good start. Their openers Rahul Tripathi and the skipper Ajinkya Rahane put 47-run partnership for the first wicket. After Tripathi was caught and bowled by KKR leg-spinner Piyush Chawla for 20 runs, Rahane had another good partnership with Sanju Samson.
They put 62-run partnership for the second wicket but ultimately failed under the pressure as the required run-rate was quickly getting higher. Both Rahane (46 runs off 41 balls) and Samson (50 runs off 38 balls) were dismissed in the crucial stages, while the next batsmen failed to get proper time.
KKR bowlers bowled brilliantly in the second half and restricted RR to 144/4 at the end of 20 overs.
Among the KKR bowlers, Piyush Chawla (2/24) collected two wickets while Prasidh Krishna (1/28) and Kuldeep Yadav (1/18) claimed one wicket each.
Here are some Twitter reactions:
What a disappointing end this is, wasted to many balls & didn’t take the game on in the middle. That game was there to win & the boys should have got over the line ! Very proud of the entire squad though as they tried their best ! Just hurts as that’s a game we should have won !
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) May 23, 2018
I think it was extremely creditable on the part of Rajasthan Royals to make the play-offs. But just didn't have the fire-power to enforce a win once there
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 23, 2018
Over of the match from an increasingly impressive Prasidh Krishna!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 23, 2018
First 10 overs with d ball RR were outstanding,gave away too many in the next 10.While chasing RR were 87/1 after 10 & it looked like they may get this easily,but @KKRiders were superb to defend this.Prasidh has been mighty impressive & it will be interesting against SRH #KKRvRR
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) May 23, 2018
Russell is in the league of Lloyd, Richards, Greenidge, Collis King, Matt Hayden, Kapil Dev where power hitting is concerned
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) May 23, 2018
#KKR’s campaign is THE story of the #IPL. Loved the way they’ve fought relentlessly. Will be a tough game day after. Battle amongst the equals. Well played. #KKRHaiTaiyaar #KKRvRR #ApnaTukkaBhiLaga 😂🙈🤗
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 23, 2018
#RR could only go so far without Buttler and Stokes….didn’t have the batting strength to chase 170. A good fight nevertheless…. #IPL #KKRvRR
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 23, 2018
Well played @KKRiders @DineshKarthik keeping nerve under pressure and closing out the game. Fair result. Better team won. @rajasthanroyals middle order let them down.
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) May 23, 2018
Great effort from the @rajasthanroyals boys ! It’s a final & the big players stand up, well played Russell. Boys will get these in the 18th over, Samson 70+ !!!!
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) May 23, 2018
Things that are getting too expensive :
3. Diesel
2. Petrol
1. Unadkat#KKRvRR— Sagar (@sagarcasm) May 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/SirJadejaaaa/status/999333007763890176
Andre Russell Really Showing them who’s Boss! These boundaries don’t want to stop! Incredible.
39(20)*. 19 overs gone. #KKRvRR— Ayesha Aziz 2.0 (@Ayeshaaziz__) May 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/bedit/status/999336577649143808
#KKRvRR So so disappointed with RR's think tank. Playing Binny in the XI by itself is dumb, and on top of that you send him ahead of Goutham! Worst decision ever.
— Journalist Ujjwal Sharma (@Journo_Ujjwal) May 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/Adesh_Ajju/status/999334288440135680
