IPL 2019: Match 52, KXIP vs KKR, Review – Shubman Gill ensures that the Knights prove to be mightier than the Kings

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have kept their playoffs hopes alive by registering an easy win against the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP). Even though the hosts managed to put up a big total on the board, the chase turned out to be an absolute cakewalk for the KKR batsmen. Shubman Gill played a beautiful knock and registered yet another half-century while opening the innings.

Also, Sandeep Warrier did well with the ball which is a huge positive for the ‘Men in Purple and Gold’. With this loss, the Kings XI Punjab are nearly knocked out of the tournament. Even if they manage to win their last game, they do not have the NRR on their side. The Knight Riders, though, will be fancying their chances as they are just one victory away from making it into the top four. Hence, their next and the final game against Mumbai is a must-win for them.

Sam Curran provides the final impetus for KXIP

The Kings XI Punjab lost their critical batsman KL Rahul for just 2 runs after they were put into bat first. Soon, the same bowler, Sandeep Warrier, also dismissed Chris Gayle for 14 runs. At 22/2, the top-heavy Kings XI Punjab seemed to be in a lot of trouble. However, Nicholas Pooran took the counterattack to the opposition. He tonked the bowlers all around the ground and scored a quickfire 27-ball 48. Mayank Agarwal played a good knock. But, yet again, he got to a start and failed to convert it.

The right-hander got out after scoring 36 runs from 26 balls. The hosts didn’t seem to be heading towards a massive score. However, Sam Curran provided the team with the final impetus with a terrific knock. The English cricketer scored 55 runs from just 24 balls towards the end and added life to the innings. His knock, supported by a 17-ball 25 from Mandeep Singh, helped KXIP get to 183/6 in 20 overs.

Shubman Gill scores a sublime half-century

Chris Lynn took his team off to a blistering start in the chase. He faced most of the deliveries in his partnership with Shubman Gill and scored 46 runs from 22 balls. This set the platform on which Gill and Robin Uthappa built up further. Uthappa got out after scoring 22 runs while Andre Russell couldn’t make a massive impact in this game. The long boundaries in Mohali didn’t help the Jamaican’s cause and he could only get 24 runs in 14 balls.

Gill, though, held one end tight and played a terrific knock. He hit some glorious shots and registered a terrific half-century in the match. Gill remained unbeaten on 65 runs from 49 deliveries while Dinesh Karthik took just 9 balls to score 21 runs. The skipper finished the game for his team with a six and a four.

Brief Scores:

KXIP: 183/6 in 20 overs (Sam Curran 55*, Nicholas Pooran 48, Sandeep Warrier 2/31)

KKR: 185/3 in 18 overs (Shubman Gill 65*, Chris Lynn 46, Mohammed Shami 1/15)

Result: Kolkata Knight Riders won the match by 7 wickets.

Man of the Match: Shubman Gill

Points Table

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