In what turned out to be a fitting finale to a splendid season of Pepsi IPL, the Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Kings XI Punjab by three wickets in a thrilling last-over finish in Bengaluru. While KXIP posted a mammoth 199 for four – thanks to a brilliant century by Wriddhiman Saha – KKR ensured they were up to the mark during the chase despite losing routine wickets. Their cause was fuelled by a match-winning 94 (off 50 balls) by Manish Pandey. This is the Knight Riders’ second title triumph, after their maiden win back in 2012 IPL.
KXIP Innings
Powerplay: Knights Riders choke touted top order
Earlier, Gautam Gambhir won the toss and chose to field first. For KXIP, Virender Sehwag and Manan Vohra came atop the order. And while the duo made a fluent start, their partnership was broken for 23 by Umesh Yadav in the fourth over; the KKR pacer had Sehwag (7) caught by Gambhir at mid-off. Then, George Bailey unexpectedly promoted himself up to No.3. However, his opposite number’s first bowling change – in form of Sunil Narine – saw the end of the KXIP skipper. The deceptive off-spinner bowled Bailey (1) out off the very first ball of the sixth over, courtesy a straighter one.
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South Africa Today – Sport – Cricket – Kings XI Punjab vs Kolkata Knight Riders