Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) stamped their authority with an emphatic 98-run triumph over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Sunday (May 5) in Match 54 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 on Sunday (May 5).
Sunil Narine’s stellar performance with the bat
Lucknow’s decision to field first proved to be counterproductive as Kolkata’s opening duo, Sunil Narine and Phil Salt, established a blazing 61 runs partnership in just 26 deliveries. Narine emerged as the star performer with the bat for KKR, smashing 81 runs off just 39 balls.
Contributing to the formidable total, Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Salt also played crucial cameos, adding 32 runs each to the scoreboard. Ramandeep Singh‘s unbeaten 26-run blitz towards the end further propelled Kolkata to a commanding score of 235/6 in their allotted 20 overs. For Lucknow, Naveen-ul-Haq emerged as their most successful bowler, grabbing three wickets.
LSG’s early setback: Arshin Kulkarni’s dismissal
Facing the formidable task of chasing down Kolkata’s imposing target, Arshin Kulkarni and KL Rahul went to open the innings for Lucknow. The duo got off to a promising start, accumulating 11 runs in the opening over. However, their momentum was short-lived as Kulkarni couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity and was dismissed in the second over. Ramandeep showcased his fielding prowess with a remarkable catch, sending Kulkarni back to the pavilion.
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Ramandeep Singh’s spectacular catch
As the second over approached its conclusion, Kulkarni attempted a flick shot off Mitchell Starc‘s delivery. Unfortunately for him, he mistimed the shot, resulting in a top edge that soared towards the off-side. Initially, it seemed like the ball might evade the fielders stationed between backward point and cover. Nevertheless, Ramandeep showcased exceptional athleticism as he sprinted backward from the covers, covering a significant distance. With remarkable agility and timing, he executed a sensational diving catch, completing the dismissal of Kulkarni in spectacular fashion.
Here’s the video:
Judgment 💯
Technique 💯
Composure 💯
Ramandeep Singh with one of the best catches you’ll see 😍👏
Watch the match LIVE on @StarSportsIndia and @JioCinema 💻📱#TATAIPL | #LSGvKKR | @KKRiders pic.twitter.com/VHoXgC0qGu
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 5, 2024
Marcus Stoinis and KL Rahul’s resistance
Following Kulkarni’s dismissal, Lucknow’s batting lineup crumbled like a house of cards. The home team failed to put up a fight in their run chase, ultimately getting bundled out for a mere 137 runs. Among the Lucknow batters, only Marcus Stoinis and KL Rahul managed to make significant contributions, scoring 36 and 25 runs, respectively. Kolkata’s bowlers dominated the proceedings, with Harshit Rana and Varun Chakravarthy scalping three wickets each.
Implications on the IPL 2024 points table
With this comprehensive victory, Kolkata ascended to the top of the points table in the IPL 2024 season. The two-time champions have emerged victorious in eight out of their 11 matches and boast an impressive net run rate of 1.453. In contrast, Lucknow find themselves in fifth place in the standings, having secured six victories in 11 games. Nonetheless, their net run rate currently stands at -0.371, indicating room for improvement in their performances going forward.
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