IPL 2018, KKR vs KXIP: Hits and Misses

The Kings XI Punjab continued on their strong march in IPL 2018 with a comprehensive 9-wicket victory in a rain-curtailed encounter against the Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens on Saturday (April 21).

The hosts scored 191-7 in the first innings after being put in to bat by KXIP. In reply, the visitors had to make just 125 runs in 13 overs after rain interrupted play in the ninth over of the game.

Hence, when they took the field again, KXIP had to make just 29 runs off 28 deliveries. Predictably, they chased the total down with ease.

Here are the hits and misses from the game:

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#5 Hit: Chris Lynn

The Australian made a brilliant half-century

The swashbuckling Australian batsman announced his return to form with an explosive knock of 41-ball-74.

Lynn had scores of 5, 22, 49, 31 and 0 in his last five games for the Kolkata-based franchise.

He came good against the Ravichandran Ashwin-led side, though, and proved why he is considered as one of the most destructive batsmen in the shortest format of the game today. It was because of his knock that KKR managed to reach a strong total of 191-7 in the first innings.

He hit six boundaries and four massive sixes for the hosts and took the attack to the opposition with an incredible batting strike-rate of 180.49.

#4 Miss: Andre Russell

It was a nightmarish day in the office for Russell

The West Indian all-rounder has been a marquee player for the Kolkata Knight Riders this season. However, he had a terrible day in the office against KXIP on the day.

His bowling was taken apart by the KXIP opening combination, and he gave away as many as 31 runs in just 1.5 overs.

His bowling economy went up to a shocking number of 16.9 runs per over. Things turned worse for the 29-year-old as he caught cramps in the middle of his second over and had to walk off the pitch to tend to the same.

Russell couldn't perform with the bat too, as he could score just 10 runs off seven deliveries before falling to Barinder Sran in the 17th over of the first innings.

#3 Hit: Andrew Tye

The seamer bowled a splendid last over

This Australian seamer was one of the biggest success stories of the Indian Premier League last year and was one of the strongest buys for KXP this season.

However, he has not come as good as expected for the Punjab franchise in the tournament so far.

However, he turned the tables around with his brilliant bowling against KKR and brought his best to the table-and the pitch!

In an innings where the overall run-rate was close to 10 runs an over, Tye gave away just 30 runs in his quota of four overs and picked up two crucial wickets.

He also bowled the 20th over of the innings, and with his efficiency, gave away just five runs in six deliveries, thereby restricting the hosts to a total under 200.

#2 Miss: Piyush Chawla

It was a forgettable performance by the spin-bowler

This right-arm leg break bowler, like most of the KKR bowling unit, did not have a good day against the Punjab batting line-up.

He was given just two overs by Dinesh Karthik and was taken to the cleaners on both occasions.

In his bowling spell, he leaked 24 runs in just 12 deliveries and was thrashed by the KXIP openers to all parts of the stadium.

He has the ability to take frequent wickets with his bowling but couldn't manage the same on the day and ended his spell with no wickets to his name.

#1 Hit: Kings XI Punjab opening stand

Rahul and Gayle form the most blazing opening combination of the IPL this year

The Kings XI Punjab have truly found a golden duo for the top of their batting order, in the consistent KL Rahul and the hard-hitting Chris Gayle. Today, their blistering batting at the top of the order broke the spine of the tall chase before their side.

In a stat that may surprise many, Rahul batted at a strike-rate of 222.22, which was higher than Gayle's on the day.

The right-handed batsman scored 60 runs off just 27 deliveries before he was finally dismissed by Narine in the 10th over of the chase.

The West Indian, on the other hand, continued with his consistently destructive batting this season and scored 62 unbeaten runs off 38 deliveries.

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