Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
The match 41 of the Indian Premier League saw Kolkata Knight Riders letting the game slip away from their hands and eventually got beaten by Delhi Capitals in a low scoring game. Kuldeep Yadav starred in the game as he picked four crucial wickets in three overs he bowled against his former franchise, while Mustafizur clinched three. After inviting them to bat first, Delhi restricted Kolkata Knight Riders to 146/9 in 20 overs.
In response, Delhi Capitals started the run chase on a shaky note, losing Prithvi Shaw and Mitchell Marsh inside the first two overs. But, David Warner and Lalit Yadav stitched a crucial 64-run partnership before Umesh Yadav broke the partnership dismissing Warner on 42. Skipper Rishabh Pant and Lalit Yadav were the other two quick wickets that fell, putting Delhi on backfoot.
Delhi invited more trouble after Axar Patel got run-out on 24, but Rovman Powell steered the Delhi unit home, as he finished the game with maximum. The tall Windies player returned unbeaten on 33 off 16 balls. With that win, Delhi has kept their hopes alive for the playoffs, whereas KKR's chances seem too bleak now as they have lost the fifth game on the trot. Let's take a look at the highlights of the game.
1. Kolkata's batting collapse
Shreyas Iyer is yet to find the right combination for his side, as Kolkata once again suffered a massive batting collapse. Experienced and prolific batter Aaron Finch added just three runs before Chetan Sakariya picked his wicket in the second over. Venkatesh Iyer (6 off 12) stayed consistent with his poor performance as he failed to reach double-digit figures. Such was the collapse that eight of Kolkata batter were restricted to single digits, and five of them could not even open their accounts.
2. Nitish Rana's 57-run knock
While Kolkata had a tough outing against Delhi, Nitish Rana came to the rescue as he stitched a 48-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer, followed by a 62-run stand with Rinku Singh. Rana anchored his innings around other players as he scored 57 in just 34 balls. Rana's innings was studded with four maximums and three boundaries as he helped the side to post a respected total on board.
3. Kuldeep Yadav's four-wicket haul
Kuldeep spoiled Kolkata's plan even earlier in the season and on Thursday, he did it again, finishing with superb figures of 4 for 14 in three overs to restrict them under 150. Kuldeep picked up his second four-wicket haul this season, taking his tally to 17 wickets. In his first over, he had debutant Baba Indrajith caught at long-on before trapping Sunil Narine lbw on the next ball. Kuldeep came back in the 13th over to dismiss Shreyas Iyer and then set up Andre Russell to get him out for a three-ball duck.
4. Rovman Powell's 33 in 16 balls
In response to 146, Delhi had the worst start as Prithvi Shaw was dismissed on the very first ball of the second innings by none other than Umesh Yadav. But, David Warner (42 off 26). Mitchell Marsh (13 off 7) and Lalit Yadav (22 off 29) played crucial knocks to rescue their side from any shocking turnaround. But, as the wickets fell quickly and it looked like Delhi may let the match slip away from their hands, Powell shone with his unbeaten 33 in just 16 balls. He hit three maximums and one boundary to ensure victory for his side.