KKR crush DC with spin & Salt's big hitting! © iplt20.com
The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) continued their winning ways, thrashing the Delhi Capitals (DC) by a comfortable seven-wicket margin in the 47th match of IPL 2024. This victory propels KKR to the second spot on the points table, significantly boosting their net run rate.
Change of Pace at Eden
Eden Gardens, known for high-scoring encounters this season, surprised everyone with a pitch offering assistance to the bowlers. KKR exploited this advantage perfectly, with Mitchell Starc and Vaibhav Arora taking early wickets. The spin duo of Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine then choked the DC batters, leaving them reeling at 111/8. A late flourish from Kuldeep Yadav (35) helped DC reach a slightly respectable total of 153.
Salt and Narine Lay the Foundation
Chasing a modest target, KKR openers Phil Salt and Sunil Narine went on the offensive from the get-go. Salt, in particular, was on fire, smashing a quickfire half-century within the powerplay. While both openers departed eventually, they had set the platform for a comfortable chase.
Shreyas and Venkatesh Iyer See it Through
Shreyas Iyer and Venkatesh Iyer took over the reins with the required run rate well under control. The duo played sensible cricket, stitching together an unbroken partnership to ensure a comfortable victory with 21 balls remaining.
DC’s Bowling Woes
DC’s bowlers had a forgettable night. Dropped catches and inconsistent bowling lines made life easy for the KKR batters. Axar Patel picked up a couple of wickets, but overall, the DC bowling attack lacked the bite needed to trouble a strong batting lineup.
A Complete Performance for KKR
This match was a comprehensive display of KKR dominance. Their bowlers adapted well to the pitch conditions, picking up wickets regularly. The batters chased the target with minimal fuss, showcasing their batting depth. This win will undoubtedly boost their confidence as they aim for a playoff berth.
What Next?
With the tournament reaching its halfway point, every match becomes a crucial battle for points. KKR will be looking to carry this momentum forward, while Delhi Capitals (DC) needs to find solutions for their bowling woes to stay in contention for the coveted IPL trophy.
Match Summary
Delhi Capitals 153/9 (20) | |
| Kuldeep Yadav 35* (26) | Varun Chakaravarthy |
| Rishabh Pant 27 (20) | Harshit Rana |
| Abishek Porel 18 (15) | Vaibhav Arora |
Kolkata Knight Riders 157/3 (16.3) | |
| Phil Salt 68 (33) | Axar Patel |
| Shreyas Iyer 33* (23) | Lizaad Williams |
| Venkatesh Iyer 26* (23) | Khaleel Ahmed |
Toss: DC won the toss and decided to bat
Stadium: Eden Gardens
Result: KKR won by 7 wickets and 21 balls left
Player of the Match: Varun Chakaravarthy (KKR) – 3/16 (4)
