KL Rahul's LSG confirmed their place in the IPL 2022 playoffs at the expense of KKR, who despite their valiant fightback, lost by 2 runs.
Kolkata Knight Riders were knocked out of the race for IPL 2022 playoffs after Lucknow Super Giants ran out winners in a thrilling game that went down to the wire. Shreyas Iyer-led KKR knew they needed a win to keep themselves in the playoffs race, but a 2-run defeat brought their campaign to a disappointing halt.
In a season where KKR had plenty of concerns, they found plenty of bright sparks as well, Rinku Singh in particular has to be one. The youngster played a crucial knock and if not for his dismissal towards the end, he nearly pulled away with a win for his side.
So it's Lucknow Super Giants who sealed their place in the playoffs at the expense of Kolkata Knight Riders. This, after KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock registered the highest opening partnership in IPL history by scoring 210 runs, and in the end, it proved to be a mountain too steep to climb for KKR.
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De Kock gave a batting masterclass en route to an unbeaten 140 off 70 balls as he and Rahul (68 not out off 51) fired LSG to 210 for no loss, the highest opening stand in IPL history.
It was a steep chase but KKR stayed in the game through Nitish Rana (42) and captain Shreyas Iyer (50) but it was too big a task for the lower order. Their innings ended at 208 for eight in 20 overs. Just when it looked KKR were down and out, Sunil Narine (21 not out off) and Rinku Singh (40 off 15) started smashing the LSG bowlers around the ground to reignite hopes of the dug out.
KKR needed 38 runs off the last two overs and they both brought the equation down to 21 off the final over.
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Rinku came up with a couple of sixes and a four to make it five off the last three balls but he fell to a special one-handed catch from Evin Lewis to bring LSG back into the game. With three needed off the final ball, Marcus Stoinis landed a yorker to dismiss Umesh Yadav and help his team win a humdinger.
With inputs from PTI
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 "Lucknow Super Giants qualify for IPL 2022 playoffs at the expense of KKR")
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