In the 46th clash of the Indian Premier League (IPL) the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) defeated the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by 8 wickets and 7 balls to spare. After winning their last games with comprehensive margins, both the teams decided to keep the winning combination unchanged. However, with the win against KKR, the KXIP opener, Mandeep Singh scored his fifty of IPL 2020 along with Chris Gayle to get the team over the line.
Having won the toss, KXIP elected to field first and they got the priced wicket of Nitish Rana in the first over of Glenn Maxwell itself. KKR was soon found reeling at 10/3 by the end of the 2nd over, as they lost the wickets of Rahul Tripathi and Dinesh Karthik in the same over of Mohammed Shami. At 10/3, KXIP bowlers were all-over the opposition, however, denying to succumb under pressure, Eoin Morgan and Shubman Gill launched an all-out attack as they added 81 runs for the 4th wicket.
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Just when it seemed the KKR had managed to sway the momentum in their favor, Morgan was dismissed on Ravi Bishnoi’s wrong’un as he went for an aerial shot, which landed straight into the hands of Ravi Ashwin at deep square leg. After his dismissal, nothing went in favor of KKR as the KXIp bowlers bagged three quick wickets to spoil KKR’s momentum.
A late burst by Lockie Ferguson, who slammed three boundaries and six in his 13-ball 24 run knocks, took KKR to a decent total of 149 at the loss of 9 wickets. Coming to chase a rather modest target, KL Rahul (28 from 25) and Mandeep Singh gave their team a flying start as they added 47 runs for the opening wicket.
The hero from the last game, Varun Chakravarthy managed to get the early wicket of Rahul. Although, it was the last ray of hope for the KRK bowlers as Rahul’s dismissal led to Mandeep Singh (66 from 56) taking over, as the latter then started playing risk-free strokes.
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On the other side, Chris Gayle (51 from 29) smarted smashing the ball from the word go by targeting the spinner and unfurled some scintillating shots. Taking complete control of the situation, both the batsmen played sensible cricket and added 100 runs for the second wicket. On the back of the crucial knocks of the two batsmen, Punjab managed to chase down the total comfortably and now they have won five games comprehensively.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to KXIP’s 5th consecutive win:
"My father always told me, always remain not out and I am happy I could do that today!" – @mandeeps12 #SaddaPunjab #IPL2020 #KXIP #KKRvKXIP
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) October 26, 2020
Chris Gayle has scored a fifty in each of his last six T20 innings at Sharjah Stadium (Four in APL 2018 and two in IPL 2020). #KKRvKXIP #IPL2020
— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) October 26, 2020
The longevity of @henrygayle is remarkable … he is the entertainer but let’s not forget how great he is as well … incredible career … one of the greatest white ball players … #IPL #UniverseBoss
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) October 26, 2020
The distant car in the rear-view mirror @lionsdenkxip is overtaking a few on the highway now! Team to watch out for.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 26, 2020
Chris Gayle in #IPL2020
Played – 5
Won – 5How much the IPL missed #UniverseBoss #KXIPvKKR
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) October 26, 2020
When Dad blesses you from above 🖤… take a bow Mandeep Singh 🙏@mandeeps12 @klrahul11 @realpreityzinta @lionsdenkxip pic.twitter.com/qbww3FQPiF
— Suniel Shetty (@SunielVShetty) October 26, 2020
Crucial points for @lionsdenkxip as they sneak ahead of @KKRiders on the points table.
Fine innings by @mandeeps12 and @henrygayle was just at his usual best. 👏🏻#KKRvKXIP #IPL2020
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 26, 2020
The way things are going, #KXIP might just go on and win the IPL out of nowhere.
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) October 26, 2020
There’ll never be another Gayle….never. If entertainment had a face-name…..it’s him. 🙇♂️ #IPL2020
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 26, 2020
Momentum @lionsdenkxip ki taraf ah gya hai bhai 🤪🤪 ab nai bachega koi back to back victories 👏👏👏😊💫 that’s why @ipl the number one T20 league in the world 😊🙌
— Rahul Sharma (@ImRahulSharma3) October 26, 2020
Very emotional and proud moment for #MandeepSingh . Well done Mandeep. #KKRvKXIP
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) October 26, 2020
Very happy for @mandeeps12 specially more today cause this one for his father watching him from the heavens above 🙏🤲🏽 @henrygayle just like red wine 🍷 older he gets better he hits it out of the park 1000 sixes in t20 #legend #kxip turnin the table well played @RealShubmanGill
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) October 26, 2020
Your father must be so proud of you, watching you from heaven. Superb knock @mandeeps12 66 not out. it takes a lot of dedication and strong will to perform this way after losing your dear one. #Respect @lionsdenkxip @IPL #KKRvKXIP #IPL2020
— Vinay Kumar R (@Vinay_Kumar_R) October 26, 2020
