Rajkot, 2017 – Kolkata Knight Riders win by 10 wickets
The clash at the Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) Stadium in Rajkot was the 2017 season opener for both teams. Perhaps mindful of the previous two games between the sides, Kolkata Knight Riders decided to make Gujarat bat first on an even-paced surface.
Powered by McCullum’s quick-fire 35, the hosts threatened to break away in the early stages of the encounter. But, a couple of timely strikes from Kuldeep Yadav allowed the Knight Riders to halt the surge.
Raina, though, on his part, began the campaign serenely and looked to build a partnership with Karthik. While the left-hander kept the scoreboard ticking by finding the gaps, the latter took the attack to the opposition bowlers with his instinctive style of hitting. Eventually, the Lions finished with a competitive total of 183.
What happened was scarcely believable. Gambhir and his new opening partner Chris Lynn proceeded to make a complete mockery of the chase. The duo smashed the bowlers to all parts of the ground and operated at a manic rate. An unbeaten partnership of 184 from just 14.5 overs not only helped Knight Riders overhaul the target comfortably but also set a new benchmark in the tournament for the opening wicket.
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