During the 13th match of the 11th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) between Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Daredevils at Kolkata, Kolkata Knight Riders’ Nitish Rana scored his fifth IPL half-century, the first one of this season, in an imposing manner.

After being put in to bat by Gautam Gambhir, Kolkata Knight Riders ended up scoring 200-9 in their allotted quota of 20 overs. Chris Lynn and Robin Uthappa started the proceedings for the home team as the Knight Riders scored 50-1 in the powerplay.

However, it was Nitish Rana who held the innings together as the Knight Riders posted a substantial total. Rana came in to bat at No. 4 in the eighth over. Overshadowed by Andre Russell’s 12-ball 41, which included six sixes, Rana’s inning played a vital role for the Knight Riders.

Rana hit his first boundary in the form of a six against Rahul Tewatia on the fifth ball that he faced. In the following over against Shahbaz Nadeem, Rana hit another six over the long-on fielder. With Chris Lynn (31) and Dinesh Karthik (19) going back to the pavilion in quick succession, the onus was on Rana to play significant innings.

Amidst Russell’s heroics, Rana seemed happy playing the second-fiddle. On the first delivery of the 18th over, with a single off Trent Boult, he completed his fifth IPL half-century. Rana eventually got out on the third delivery of the next over when he skied a Chris Morris delivery to Gambhir at cover. He ended up scoring 59 (35) with the help of five fours and four sixes.

Knight Riders would be relieved to see Rana playing in the way that he played today. Someone of his stature can turn out to be handy for them in the middle order throughout the tourney.