IPL 2018: Match 49, KKR vs RR – Most Valuable and Liable Player of the game

Kolkata Knight Riders improved their chances of making it to the playoffs with a comfortable 6-wicket win over the Rajasthan Royals in a game that was almost an eliminator. The Royals’ opening pair was on fire scoring 63 in just 4.5 overs which included boundaries off ten consecutive deliveries. However, a dramatic collapse triggered by Kuldeep Yadav’s magic saw the visiting side skittle out for just 142. The Knight Riders walked through the chase despite losing four wickets and finished with two overs to spare.

Kuldeep Yadav has had a rather forgettable season with only nine wickets in 12 matches coming into the game. He was taken for four consecutive sixes by Ishan Kishan during their last home game. The Chinaman spinner bounced back with his best bowling figures in the IPL. He ran through the Royals’ middle-order and played a pivotal role in putting KKR on the top. Kuldeep was the Most Valuable Player of the game according to the CricTracker’s Player Algorithm earning a value of 89 lakhs. RR’s Stuart Binny was the Liable Player of the match having scored only one run.

In the must-win match, all the KKR’s senior pros Dinesh Karthik, Chris Lynn, Sunil Narine and Andre Russell did what was expected of them. The West Indian all-rounders contributed with both bat and ball while Lynn anchored the chase which is unlike him. The skipper Karthik scored a 31-ball 41 and scored the winning runs as well. He was sharp behind the wickets with three catches and a stumping to his name.

Ben Stokes produced his best performance of IPL 2018 in what will be his final game of the season. Though Stokes scored only 11 runs, he turned up with the bat to bag three wickets for 15 runs and bowled a maiden over as well. He was Rajasthan Royals‘ Most Valuable Player of the match earning a value of 79.5 lakhs. Jos Buttler also played his last game of the season as both the England player have been selected for the Test squad that will play Pakistan at home. He gave them a dream start scoring a 22-ball 39 and it helped him to earn a value worth 43.5 lakhs.