Kings XI http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Punjab-c833 v Kolkata Knight Riders – Indian Premier League 5 – Match recap – Knight Riders secure resounding 8-wicket win
After a slow start to the season, the Kolkata Knight Riders finally appear to have found their rhythm as they breezed to an easy 8-wicket win against a hapless Kings XI Punjab outfit at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali, Chandigarh on April
18.
The home team won the toss, and skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Brett-Lee-c48419 and a fine catch by Manvinder
Bisla.
The Kings XI batsmen, in addition to being unable to rack up substantial individual scores, were also restricted from forming any solid partnerships, with 24 being the highest it got throughout the innings. Gilchrist was forced to retire hurt in the 6th
over after he injured his hamstring while attempting to take a run. After his departure, it was a downhill slide for the Kings XI.
The skipper was followed by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DJ-Hussey-c1380 attempted to bring the team back on track with another 24-run 3rd
wicket partnership, and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Simon-James-Marshall-c90362 appeared to be getting into his stride as he scored 33 off 30 deliveries.
However, his stint was cut short by compatriot Lee in a confusing dismissal, where the batsman was unsure whether the ball had indeed carried, as Bisla insisted.
Hussey was as insipid as the rest, managing a mere 10 runs before he was run out in the 15th over owing to a bad call by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Paras-Dogra-c2155 (6). With the score at 87 for 4, things were beginning to look bleak for the Kings XI, and Windies spinner Sunil
Narine ensured that the lower order were unable to fight back, dismissing Dogra (6) and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AD-Mascarenhas-c912 (9). Gilchrist returned in the last over to attempt
to revive his team, and remained the top scorer for his side with 40, but his efforts were in vain.
The home team finished at 124 for 7 at the end of 20 overs, with Lee and Narine remaining the Knight Riders’ highest wicket-takers (2 scalps each), while Bhatia and Balaji claimed one wicket apiece. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/YK-Pathan-c2815 continued his disappointing run in the IPL5,
and failed to fire, conceding 7 runs in the one over he bowled.
The 125 target posed no threat to the Knight Riders’ batsmen, and they breezed through the chase, reaching 127 at the expense of just 2 wickets, with 21 deliveries to spare.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/G-Gambhir-c1447 opened the innings for their side, and established a solid 53-run foundation. While the Kiwi batsman was later dismissed at 15, followed by Bisla at 11 – both at the hands
of Chawla – Gambhir (66 off 44)and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JH-Kallis-c1692 (30) joined forces for another 53-run partnership, which saw their side safely to victory by the 17th over.
Gambhir won the Player of the Match award for his match-winning half century, and the Knight Riders found themselves propelled to 3rd place on the tournament points table, while the Kings XI dropped down to 3rd last.
Gilchrist’s side have an upcoming chance to improve their rankings as they prepare to host the Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 20, while the Knight Riders will also be looking to move upwards as they take on the Deccan Chargers on April 22 in Cuttack.
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