Updated on:
Nicholas Pooran was named the man of the match for his spectacular batting performance. Pooran scored 87 runs in only 36 balls. His high-striking knock in the end proved to be the difference between the two teams. He smashed eight sixes and seven fours in the knock.
Nicholas Pooran showcased why he is arguably the best batter in the format. The left-handed batter made the best use of the batter-friendly conditions at Eden Gardens. It was a flat pitch in Kolkata where the batters were presented with the best pitch this season so far. He struck at a rate of 241 in a 36-ball knock. Pooran smashed eight sixes and seven fours and took the Orange cap from his teammate, Mitchell Marsh after the Australian held it for a few overs.
Mitchell Marsh has been a consistent batter in the 18th season of the IPL. With his knock of 81 runs, the Australian smashed his fourth fifty-plus score of the season. He was greatly supported by his opening partner, Aiden Markram. Marsh took his time to settle in while the South African was going at a fairly quick pace. However, once Marsh took off it was a different story altogether.
It continued to be a batting paradise in the second innings as well. The KKR skipper played a captain’s innings. He made 61 runs in only 35 balls hitting eight fours and two sixes. However, it was his dismissal that caused a domino effect on the rest of the batters. The moment Rahane was dismissed, KKR lost the plot. They lost their next four wickets in four overs.
Nicholas Pooran and Mitchell Marsh were on absolute fire in the first innings. The two overseas batters made a great contribution to the LSG batting unit with a couple of eighty-run knocks. The two were not only battling the KKR bowlers but amongst themselves for the Orange Cap. At the end of the first innings, it was Pooran who had the cap placed on his head in the second innings. Aiden Markram too played a useful hand at the top of the order, but unfortunately missed on a half-century.
For the Knight Riders, all the bowlers went for runs. Harshit Rana and Andre Russell were the only wicket-takers. It was a run-fest as they bowled on a surface that was tailor-made for the batters while defending a small boundary on one side.
Ajinkya Rahane and Venkatesh Iyer played two great knocks in the second innings. They almost took KKR home, but a great comeback from the LSG bowlers in the death overs meant that the visitors won by four runs.
More Links
FANTASY CRICKET TIPS
