IPL 2018: KL Rahul and Chris Gayle crush KKR bowlers as Kings XI Punjab rise to top of the table

Ajit Vijaykumar 19:45 21/04/2018
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  • Rahul and Gayle have formed a solid partnership. Image: BCCI.

    Kings XI Punjab continued their fine start to the IPL with a nine-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens on Saturday.

    Batting first, Kolkata posted what looked like a competitive 191 for seven. But Punjab’s in-form openers KL Rahul (60) and Chris Gayle (62 not out) annihilated the Knight Riders bowling attack to set up a comfortable win in 11.1 overs after rain reduced the second innings to a 13-over affair.

    Here are the talking points from the match in Kolkata on Saturday that saw Punjab rise to the top of the table with their fourth win out of five matches after reaching 126 for the loss of one wicket inside 12 overs.

    LYNN PRODUCES HIS BEST KNOCK SO FAR

    Australian batsman Chris Lynn hadn’t been at his fluent best in the IPL. But he got going at the Eden Gardens with a knock of 74 from 41 balls that included six fours and four sixes to lay the foundation of a solid score.

    Opener Sunil Narine failed with the bat, dismissed by Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman for one, but Gayle teamed up with one-down batsman Robin Uthappa (34) to steady the ship before adding 62 with captain Dinesh Karthik (43 off 28 balls) to help post a challenging score.

    SPINNERS AND TYE LIMIT THE DAMAGE

    While Punjab seamers Barinder Sran (2-50) and Ankit Rajpoot (o-32 from three) were torn apart, spinners Ravi Ashwin (1-33), Mujeeb (1-32) and quick Andrew Tye (2-30) contained the opposition. Their full quota of overs made up for an off day for other seamers and ensured Punjab’s batsmen chased a target under 200 and not above it.

    PUNJAB OPENERS IN A HURRY

    Punjab’s Rahul and Gayle have a point to prove this season. While the India batsman hopes to send a signal to the national management to bat him higher up the order in limited overs cricket, the Jamaican wants to show he is not a spent force in T20 cricket.

    After registering the first century of this IPL, Gayle saw Punjab home with another entertaining knock – 62 from 38 balls with five fours and six sixes. His partner Rahul was even more attacking, smashing 60 from just 29 deliveries with nine hits to the fence and two maximums. The two added 116 runs for the opening either side of a rain delay that sealed victory.

    RUSSELL INJURY

    Andre Russell injured his right leg on Saturday. Image: BCCI.

    Andre Russell injured his right leg on Saturday. Image: BCCI.

    Not only did Kolkata lose the match comprehensively, they now have to contend with a possible injury to talismanic all-rounder Andre Russell. Opening the bowling, Russell bowled 1.5 overs before walking off the ground clutching his right thigh.

    Russell entered the tournament having barely recovered from a hamstring injury and given how crucial he is with the bat and the new ball for Kolkata, his injury will give Karthik some major headaches.

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