KKR vs PBKS: Punjab Kings left reeling after Harshit Rana's twin strikes in powerplay

Harshit Rana handed Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) a major head start by dismissing Punjab Kings’ (PBKS) opening batter Prabhsimran Singh and top-order batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa in under five overs during the clash. Notably, the two sides locked horns at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata in match 53 of the ongoing IPL 2023 on Monday, May 8.

Punjab skipper Shikhar Dhawan made the right call during the toss as he decided to put up a total. However, the home team got the breakthroughs swiftly, courtesy of Harshit Rana’s impressive spell. The opening duo of Prabhsimran Singh and skipper Dhawan hit the ground running by getting the boundaries, however, it was in the second over that Harshit drew curtains on the former’s innings.

Prabhsimran tried to swat a length ball over to the leg side but got a delicate top-edge, upon which wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz took a stunning catch to dismiss him for mere 12 off eight balls. Similarly, in the fourth ball of the fourth over, Harshit landed a twin blow to dismiss Rajapaksa. 

Rahul@Rahul__12

Harshit Rana 🔥👌

08:17 PM · May 08, 2023

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The KKR pacer bowled a fullish length ball upon which Rajapaksa got a thin edge and was pouched yet again by Gurbaz. In doing so, the PBKS batter, who made his comeback into the XI, was sent packing for a three-ball duck.

The 21-year-old pacer has only featured in two games thus far and claimed a wicket in each of the occasions against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans. KKR and PBKS have played each other on 31 occasions in the top-tier league wherein the former has the massive upper hand with 20 wins.

On the other hand, Punjab have emerged victorious in 11 matches. The two-time winners are placed eighth on the IPL Points Table with eight points, courtesy of four wins and a Net Run Rate (NRR) of -0.103. Considering that the business end of the season is approaching, Nitish Rana and Co. will be gunning to win their remaining games and climb up the ladder to make a place for the play-offs.