Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) moved to the top of the IPL 2024 points table with an emphatic 98-run victory over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Sunday (May 5).
With 16 points from 11 games, KKR already have a foot in the door as far as qualifying for the playoffs is concerned. They have a net run rate of +1.453 and there are still three league-stage matches remaining for them.
After the clinical outing, KKR skipper Shreyas Iyer made a funny revelation around the dressing room regarding him losing tosses.
“The last 6 matches in the dressing room there has been havoc, teammates are coming in and asking skip what's happening, we are losing tosses, but we are winning games that's what matters,” Iyer said in the post-match presentation ceremony.
Coming to the match, the visitors racked up a mammoth 235/6 on the board after being asked to bat first. Sunil Narine was the top scorer with 81 off 39 balls while Philip Salt (32), Angkrish Raghuvanshi (32), Ramandeep Singh (25*) made vital contributions with the bat.
In reply, LSG’s innings folded for a paltry 137 in 16.1 overs. It was a batting poor performance from the hosts as no one managed to touch the 40-run mark. Marcus Stoinis was the top scorer with 21-ball 36.
Harshit Rana (3/24) and Varun Chakaravarthy (3/30) starred with the ball for KKR, picking up three scalps each. Andre Russell (2/17), Mitchell Starc (1/22) and Sunil Narine (1/22) shared the remaining four wickets among them.
Shreyas Iyer was effusive in praise of Narine and Salt as the pair launched a brutal assault on LSG bowlers in the powerplay, adding 61 runs for the opening wicket in just 4.2 overs.
“We had a great start in the powerplay. A lefty-righty combination makes thing difficult for the opposition. It's all about the freedom, to go out and express themselves. We want to go out and be positive whatever the situation is, sometimes it doesn't work out but sometimes it does,” the captain said.
“They have been splendid for us, the way they are playing their shots is pure bliss. They are setting us up and giving is momentum and no matter what the situation is, we are playing with a positive mindset,” he further remarked.
Kolkata Knight Riders will face Mumbai Indians at the iconic Eden Gardens on Saturday (May 11).
