IPL 2019: Match 52, KXIP vs KKR – Kolkata Knight Riders Player Ratings

The Kolkata Knight Riders have moved an inch closer to the playoffs of the ongoing edition of the IPL. KKR beat another contender for the fourth slot in the playoffs, the Kings XI Punjab, in the most recent encounter at Mohali. Chasing a massive total of 183, the visitors showed great skill and application to overhaul the total and move to the fifth slot in the points table. Mathematically, they are the favourites to make it to the playoffs.

Earlier in the game, the Kings were asked to bat first. They lost their two main batters, Chris Gayle and KL Rahul, early in the innings. Mayank Agarwal (36) and Nicholas Pooran (48) added 67 runs for the third wicket to bring KXIP back in the hunt. Later, Mandeep Singh chipped in with a crucial 25 as well. But the actual impetus to the innings was provided by Sam Curran, who hit an unbeaten 55 off just 24 balls. His efforts helped KXIP finish with 183/6 in 20 overs.

In the run chase, Shubman Gill and Chris Lynn provided a brisk start to KKR. The duo added 62 runs for the first wicket, with Lynn scoring 46. Robin Uthappa and Andre Russell played handy cameos to keep the momentum going in the run chase. All this while, Shubman Gill held the fort at the other end and scored a brilliant unbeaten 65. He was supported by skipper Dinesh Karthik, who hit an unbeaten 21 off 9 deliveries to see KKR home with 7 wickets in hand and two overs to spare.

Here are the KKR Player Ratings for the match:

Chris Lynn – 8.5/10

KKR needed a brisk start as they stepped on the field to chase a big total on a relatively bigger sized venue. Chris Lynn proved to be the perfect batsman for them to kick start the proceedings. Lynn took the opposition by surprise and attacked right from the word go. He scored a quick 46 off just 22 balls with 5 fours and 3 sixes to his name. His efforts helped his side post 62 runs in the power play.

Shubman Gill – 9/10

Young Shubman Gill got yet another opportunity to open this season. And as has been the case in the previous outings, the youngster grabbed his opportunity with both hands. Gill anchored the run chase. He looked a little shaky in the initial phase of the innings but soon picked up the pace. He hit his second consecutive fifty of the season and remained unbeaten on 65 off 49 balls with a couple of sixes and 5 fours to his name.

Robin Uthappa – 6/10

Robin Uthappa came in at the crease at a time when KKR had gotten a flying start. Gill looked struggling at one end, and hence the team needed Uthappa to continue the momentum. Uthappa did this with ease for a brief while as he raced to 22 off just 14 deliveries. He hit 2 fours and a six during his short stay at the crease.

Andre Russell – 6/10

The crowd expected Andre Russell to go big in this game as well. Russell, who had hit 50 sixes this season before this match, came in to bat at number four. He hit a couple of sixes and a couple of fours in his 14-ball 24 but could not finish off things for KKR. Russell also got lucky during his short stay as he was dropped on the fence by Mayank Agarwal. Much to KXIP’s respite, Russell fell shortly after the dropped catch. With the ball in hand, Russell returned with figures of 1/29 in 3 overs.

Dinesh Karthik – 7/10

Dinesh Karthik walked in to bat at number 5. When he arrived at the crease, his side needed just over 30 runs to win. Karthik showed good patience to play the second fiddle to a well-set Shubman Gill. When he realised that the target was well within the reach, he slammed an unbeaten 21 off just 9 deliveries with 2 fours and a six to his name.

Rinku Singh – Not Assigned

Rinku Singh did not get an opportunity to bat in this game.

Nitish Rana – 7/10

Nitish Rana did not get a chance to bat in this game. But the man with the golden arm provided the much-needed breakthrough to his team. He dismissed the attacking Nicholas Pooran at a crucial moment in the game. He bowled just one over and finished with 1/8 to his name.

Sunil Narine – 4/10

Sunil Narine was not sent out to open the batting yet again. He was asked to bat in the lower middle order and his chance to use the willow did not arrive in the game. Narine contributed with the ball and bowled his complete quota of four overs in the match. He did not have any wickets to show against his name and gave 29 runs during his spell.

Piyush Chawla – 3/10

Piyush Chawla has been a silent performer for KKR this season. Time and again, he has picked up wickets at crucial junctures of the game and has also managed to keep things tight at his end. This game was a rare exception though. He looked ineffective and was taken away for 43 runs in his four overs. He failed to pick up any wicket either.

Harry Gurney – 5/10

Harry Gurney had a tough day at work with the ball in hand. Gurney missed his lengths and was taken away for aplenty during his spell of four overs. He did manage to pick up the wicket of Mandeep Singh, who had started to look threatening in the match. Gurney conceded 41 runs for the solitary wicket that he took on the day.

Sandeep Warrier – 8/10

Kerala’s premium pace bowler Sandeep Warrier got another opportunity in this season of the IPL. Warrier was way more impressive in this game than the previous outing. In the third over of the match, Warrier sent the in-form batter KL Rahul packing. In his very next over, he bagged the big wicket of Chris Gayle. He eventually finished with highly impressive figures of 2/31 in his four overs.

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