Keeping slim playoff hopes alive, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will enjoy their Sunday night as they attained a resounding 60-runs victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Dubai.
Keeping slim playoff hopes alive, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will enjoy their Sunday night as they attained a resounding 60-runs victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Dubai.
For RR another campaign ended without qualifying for the play-offs.
Captain Eoin Morgan displayed with his bat while Pat Cummins justified his multi-million dollar price tag as KKR gave an all-round performance. Morgan's power-packed 68 not out off 35 balls with half a dozen of sixes and five boundaries had helped Kolkata Knight Riders cruise to 191 for 7.
KKR have now finished the league stage with 14 points from 14 games with a net run-rate of -0.214. They currently sit on the fourth spot in the table for a day.
A look at some key moments in the clash between KKR and RR.
1. Nitish Rana's alternate game duck continues
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Nitish Rana's 0,80,0 then 80 and now a duck again, the batsman form continues. What was more shocking was that he wasted the team's review on a clear wicket.
Not the first time Jofra Archer did it for RR. Archer hit the deck hard and got the ball to wobble away. Rana, who was hanging on the back foot did an ungainly poke and ensured it was a feather of an edge to the keeper.
2. Rahul Tewatia's three important wickets
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Rahul Tewatia came in at a crucial point and took three important wickets to help RR.
He sent dangerman Shubman Gill for 36 and did not allow Sunil Narine to set as he was sent for a duck.
He even sent wicketkeeper DK for a duck.
3. Eoin Morgan's innings
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Eoin Morgan did not wait to settle as he exploded, as KKR piled up 21 in the 14th over of Shreyas Gopal.
In the 19th over, KKR racked up 24 runs off Ben Stokes with Morgan picking up two sixes and a four. Morgan then ended the innings with another six off the last ball.
Morgan remained not out at 68 off 35 balls.
4. Pat Cummins expensive 1st over but in the end wickets
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6, 2wides, 4, 6, a run and finally a wicket in the last ball of Robin Uthappa. Such an expensive first over, he still however got the needed wickets.
He got 4 wickets and gave off 34 runs.
He bowled Robin Uthappa, sent Ben Stokes for 18, bowled Steven Smith for 4 and then sent Riyan Parag for a duck as well.
5. What do the four teams need to make it to the top 4?
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So what do the four teams need to make it to the top 4?
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
RCB are currently sitting on the second spot and face third-placed Delhi Capitals (DC). If they win, they can guarantee a second-place finish.
However, if RCB loses, they will need Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to lose its final match against MI since they have a better net run-rate than the Bangalore franchise.
If SRH wins, 14 points may be enough for RCB to go through as the fourth-placed team.
Delhi Capitals (DC)
As for the team which were considered as title-contenders, DC are coming back after four successive defeats. DC face a similar scenario as RCB due to its poor net run-rate.
As for DC, it needs to beat RCB to finish in the top four. If DC loses the game, it will need SRH to lose its final match.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
A lot of things depends on SRH. They can confirm their qualification with a win over MI in its final game.
However, if they lose, it will be out of the tournament.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
KKR just came after a 60-run win against RR and kept their playoff hopes hinge on Sunrisers Hyderabad.
If SRH loses their final game, they make it to the top 4. In case if SRH win, it will be a three-way tie for the fourth position.
