Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) registered a five-wicket victory over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Match 53 of IPL 2023 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Monday (May 8).
Opting to bat first, PBKS rode on skipper Shikhar Dhawan’s half-century (57 off 47 balls) to post 179/7 on the board. Shahrukh Khan (21* off 8), Harpreet Brar (17* off 9), and Rishi Dhawan (19 off 11) also made handy contributions with the bat.
The spin duo of Varun Chakaravarthy (3-26) and Suyash Sharma (1-26) starred with the ball for KKR, sharing four scalps between them by conceding 26 runs each in their four-over spell.
In reply, KKR overhauled the target on the last delivery of the match. Captain Nitish Rana top scored with 38-ball 51 while Andre Russell returned with a dazzling knock of 23-ball 42. Although Russell got out in the penultimate ball of the run-chase, the hosts went past the finish line thanks to Rinku Singh’s (21* off 10) four off Arshdeep Singh on the final ball.
After the game, KKR skipper Rana said he never lost faith in Russell’s abilities with the bat despite a string of low scores.
“When I was batting, I wanted to hold one end. Venky had a problem with his ankle so we were trying to get one big over here and there. 10 matches have gone, we were all waiting for that one Russell innings to come. He was one innings away, I kept backing him saying you have done a lot, and you will 100% win us a game,” Rana said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
Nitish Rana further stated that he was “angry” with the KKR bowlers for not being able to restrict PBKS to 160-165 on the Eden Gardens wicket.
“This pitch was a feel of home advantage as well. Our bowlers bowled badly at the death, I was angry that we conceded that many because this was a 160-165 run wicket,” he added.
Rana had special praise reserved for Rinku Singh, who held his nerves under immense pressure to play yet another match-winning knock for KKR this season.
“(On Rinku) I just keep telling him, believe in yourself because what you have achieved is something not many people ever will. When he was batting, the whole crowd was chanting 'Rinku, Rinku'. That is what he has earned this year. I've been at this franchise for many years now, I'm used to the Eden crowd screaming 'Russell, Russell' but to hear them shout 'Rinku, Rinku' makes me feel very happy and proud. That's the respect he has earned this season,” he added.
With this victory, Kolkata Knight Riders jumped to the fifth spot in the 10-team standings with 10 points from 11 matches. They will next face Rajasthan Royals at the Eden Gardens on May 11.
