IPL 2021: Rahul, Shahrukh pull off final-over win for Punjab towards Kolkata

Captain Ok.L. Rahul’s marvelous half-century and Shahrukh Khan’s sensational cameo enabled Punjab Kings to overcome Kolkata Knight Riders through 5 wickets in a aggravating chase and keep alive within the Indian Premier League.

KKR, requested to bat first, rode on its new-found sensation Venkatesh Iyer’s easiest IPL rating, a 49-ball 67, to put up a difficult 165 for seven on the Dubai Global Stadium on Friday. PBKS completed the objective with 3 balls to spare.

The left-handed Venkatesh, who flicked left-arm spinner Fabien Allen for a 4 within the first ball of the fit, had an up to date field-map in his mind as he picked the deliveries effectively and used his supple wrists to position the ball intelligently within the gaps.

AS IT HAPPENED

After the autumn of his opening spouse Shubman Gill, who was once finished in through a Arshdeep Singh supply that moved in somewhat from the outside, Venkatesh cast a very powerful well-crafted 72-run stand with Rahul Tripathi to offer KKR a legitimate platform.

Punjab’s trump card Ravi Bishnoi broke the partnership through having Tripathi, who carried out some sexy strokes on either side in his 26-ball 34, stuck at the on-side.

Iyer, who performed a pulled six and a scooped 4 in a bouquet of impressive pictures, batted maturely to achieve his 2nd IPL half-century sooner than pulling Bishnoi to deep mid-wicket within the fifteenth over.

Nitish Rana scored a 17-ball 31 and KKR accrued 44 within the final 5 at the same time as Arshdeep and Shami displayed some other spectacular efficiency.

POINTS TABLE

Mayank Agarwal and Rahul batted maturely to collect 70 runs and provides PBKS a superb get started. Mayank, who hit 3 fours and as many sixes in his 27-ball 40, was once held at quilt through Eoin Morgan, who had dropped the PBKS opener on the identical place on 0, off Varun Chakravarthy.

Chakravarthy struck once more to take away Nicholas Pooran and mount force on PBKS.

On a gradual pitch, Rahul batted with composure to attain a precious 67 off 55 and take the chase deep. He was once disregarded within the final over however his workforce controlled to go the road. KKR skipper Morgan, who fielded 4 full-time bowlers after shedding an undeserving Lockie Ferguson, neglected a 5th bowler.

Shahrukh Khan’s knock was once a useful contribution for Punjab because it notched up two issues to climb onto the 5th spot at the issues desk.