IPL 2020 Match 24 Review: KXIP remain millimetres away from redemption as KKR edge out with a 2-run victory

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Image Courtesy: IPL

A superb start to the chase gave KXIP hopes to finally win their second IPL 2020 game, but unfortunately, a nail-biting slog, quick fall of wickets and just a gap of millimetres saw KKR walk out as the winners with a 2-run win at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

KKR
Image Courtesy: IPL

Dinesh Karthik makes a mark for KKR in the first innings

Winning the toss and electing to bat first, KKR had an early dismissal of Rahul Tripathi, the hero of the last game who marched off after just 4 runs. However, Shubman Gill proved himself again, landing a whopping 47-ball-57 smashing five boundaries.

After disappointing performances in the previous matches, Dinesh Karthik opened up his batting prowess in today’s game. The wicketkeeper-batsman scored a blistering 58-off-29 including eight fours and two sixes which helped propel the score to 164. The Shami-Bishnoi duo impressed along with Arshdeep Singh in KXIP’s bowling department, each picking a wicket with good economy rates.

DK makes his presence felt with a half-century. (Image Courtesy: KKR)

The efforts from Rahul-Mayank duo go in vain

Chasing a target of 165, the Kings XI Punjab opening duo of Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul started off massive with a 115-run partnership. Mayank’s knock ended on a score of 39-ball-56 with six fours and one six, while the KXIP skipper almost brought it home with a 74-off-58, including six boundaries.

However, the double fall of wickets in the 19th over suddenly turned the tide of the game, as both KL Rahul and Prabhsimran Singh walked to the pavilion, with the out-of-form Glenn Maxwell on the pitch to face Narine in the last few deliveries of the match.

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Glenn Maxwell just millimetres shy from a super-over

With seven remaining from the last ball, Maxwell hit it big with hopes to take the game into the super over, yet the ball dropped just millimetres inside of the boundary rope, barring KXIP just one run shy from equalling the scores.

So close, yet so far: Maxwell’s missile did not make it past the boundary rope. (Image Courtesy: IPL)

Prasidh Krishna was the hero for KKR’s defence, securing three scalps including the Rahul-Mayank duo, on a 7.25 economy rate. Narine, who’s calculated bowling in the dead overs made the difference, picked two wickets.

Now with eight points, KKR move to the 3rd position in the table, while KXIP remain at the bottom.

Brief Scorecard:

Kolkata Knight Riders: 164/6 (20 overs) (D. Karthik 58; Ravi Bishnoi 1-25)

Kings XI Punjab: 162/5 (20 overs) (KL Rahul 74; Prasidh Krishna 3-29)

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