Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
The Kolkata Knight Riders pummeled the Punjab Kings to win the eighth match of the 2022 Indian Premier League by sixth wickets. The Men in Purple chased down the 137-run total in just 14.3 overs. In the first innings, the KKR continued to torment the Punjab top-order as they were 84-5 in 10 overs.
Umesh Yadav was the pick of the bowler with his four wickets and also won the Player of the Match. In the second innings, it was the Andre Russell show, as the West Indian all-rounder hit 70 runs off 31 balls with eight sixes. Other batters like Shreyas Iyer and Sam Billings also had a decent showing.
Changes in the Points table
After the eighth match of the 2022 IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders are on the top of the league table as they have four points from three games with a net run rate of +0.843. Whereas the Punjab Kings, are seventh on the table with two points from two games and a net run rate of -1.183. Kolkata will face Mumbai Indians on 6 April while Punjab will take on Chennai Super Kings on 3 April.
Today’s matchup
In a super Saturday doubleheader, Mumbai Indians will face the Rajasthan Royals at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Whereas, Gujarat Titans will go head to head against Delhi Capitals at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune.
What did the captains say?
PBKS captain, Mayank Agarwal pointed out the shortcomings of his team in the post-match interview. He said, “We didn't bat well enough. We showed some real fight with the ball initially and then Dre Russ came in and got going. Credit to him for taking the game away from us like that. I think it was a 170-ish wicket. We started off well but could not capitalize, there were a few soft dismissals."
“But it is fine as it is the start of the tournament. They (bowlers) pulled it back nicely for us with 4 for 50 we were in the game, but Russell took the game away. There were a lot of positives to take away,” added Mayank.
KKR captain Shreyas Iyer on the other hand expressed elation with the victory, He said, “We were stunned by Punjab's approach. We didn't expect them to come so hard at us in the initial overs after losing an early wicket. But that's what I looked to do as well. We got early wickets in the powerplay. My plan was to keep my best bowlers for their hard-hitters. And that's why I kept Varun and Sunil for late. They made my job easy.”
“They come out with their own strategies. They know what their plans are for the batsmen. They know what they are doing. To be honest, it was great to see Russell hitting. It was Russell Muscle. Umesh told me that he was getting older, but I told him that he was getting fitter. I see him wherever I go, at the gym, and he is working very hard. I know how to get the work done from him, and he has been a wonderful colleague,” concluded Iyer.