IPL 2022: Match 66, KKR vs LSG – Full List of Award Winners, Player of the Match, Who Said What

The city of Nawabs, Lucknow, finally came out like one against Kolkata Knight Riders in what could be called as one of the most thrilling matches in the history of IPL. The 66^th match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants had every moment to keep fans intact on the edges of their seats and that too till the very end. The scintillating night of action saw LSG winning the nail-biting contest by just two runs to bag the playoffs ticket in their maiden season.

Landing one right side of the toss, KL Rahul chose to bat first after which there was nothing but crazy runs raining from his and Quinton de Kock’s willow. While De Kock owned the night with a surreal century (140* off 70), breaking a flurry of records, KL proved to be a perfect companion with his 68* off 51. The seasoned campaigners stitched a record partnership of 210 runs, leaving no room for KKR bowlers to work their plans.

Rinku Singh’s carnage scared LSG for a good time

KKR didn’t have a fine start as openers went early but crucial partnerships in the middle brought them quite close to the target. Nitish Rana (42 off 22), Shreyas Iyer (50 off 29), and Sam Billings (36 off 24) were all good in their work until the real hero Rinku Singh arrived.

While Rinku (40 off 15) operated on the crease, it clearly looked like he would take his side over the line but Marcus Stoinis trapped him on the penultimate ball of the game, thanks to a magnificent catch by Evin Lewis. Stoinis wreaked havoc on the last ball as well when he clean-bowled Umesh Yadav to bring glory for LSG. Stoinis and Mohsin Khan picked three wickets each for the winning side.

Losing skipper, Shreyas Iyer said:

I am not feeling sad at all. That was one of the best games of cricket I have played. The way we should our character and attitude was simply outstanding. I love the way Rinku got us till the end but unfortunately couldn’t time it when two balls were remaining, he was really sad. I was hoping he could finish the game for us and could have been the hero, but still played a fantastic knock and I am really happy for him. When we came in, I never thought it would play this way because it was dry and the grass wasn’t that wet. I thought there would be little help for the spinners but once they started going.. LSG took on the bowlers and got a par total. It was a do or die situation for us, even after losing two wickets in the powerplay our mindset was to go for the chase and take it close as possible and put them under pressure. It was a volatile season for us, we started great but lost five games in a row and I personally feel we did a lot of chopping and changing, we had to do that because of the niggles and form, but we also got to know the players such as Rinku. The vibe has always been positive in the dressing room and we never hit the panic button. I have built a really good relationship with Baz (McCullum) and he is someone who is calm and composed even when the situation is going out of the way, you can go and talk to him at any point of the game. He’s got that aura when he walks around the players and never judges the players, all of us are equal for him.

Winning skipper, KL Rahul said:

I should probably get paid more for games like this. We had missed games like this, in this season. Haven’t been many games that have gone down to the last ball, maybe some which went to the last over. Happy to be on the other side. Could easily have been on the losing side and have gone back home thinking we lost due to some poor cricket. Good way to finish the last game of the league season. Credit to both teams to make such a brilliant game of cricket. Can’t say we held our nerves better because it was a matter of three runs. For Stoinis to execute those plans in the last two balls to get us the win, was brilliant. We batted well, started well with the bat. We knew that KKR would come hard at us, credit to them as they kept playing good shots. The only talk during timeouts was to back your best balls. The minute we went away from the plans was when it became easier for the batters. Good learning for us. Wins like these help to keep the team together. I was a spectator today in the last few overs. He (De Kock) was striking the ball so crisply and cleanly. What we lacked in some of the games were that the guys who were having good days weren’t winning us games. Guys getting 30s and 40s had to get us 80s and 90s, and that’s exactly what he did. Everyone has been brilliant, starting with Lewis, that catch was brilliant. He’s been struggling with tummy issues for the last few weeks, been in and out of the team. Never easy. Didn’t get to bat today. But that’s what you want to see from players, their desire to contribute in any way possible. Mohsin has been outstanding for us in the last few games. He’s got the skills but the key thing has been his knowledge of when to use those skills. He’ll be donning the Blue jersey soon the way he is going.

Player of the match, Quinton de Kock said:

I was a little bit cooked (after his innings) but it was a matter of getting some refreshments and get on with it I guess. It was a bit of frustration that came out (on his aggressive century celebrations). Felt really good to come out and do well. Was trying to keep it in, but when it came out, felt good. To be honest, not really (whether he thought the game would get so close). Obviously they played really well, assessed conditions well and came hard at us. I thought he (Stoinis) would defend it easily. But when the first three went, I thought the game was done for us. But that catch, turned things for us. As they say, good catches win matches.

Full list of awardees from KKR vs LSG match

Most Valuable Asset – Quinton de Kock

Super Striker of the match- Rinku Singh

Most Sixes- Quinton de Kock

Most Fours- Quinton de Kock

Fastest delivery of the match- Mohsin Khan

Power Player of the match- Mohsin Khan

Player of the match- Quinton de Kock