Picture Credit: Twitter
It was time for match no. 45 in IPL 2021 where Kolkata Knight Riders got set to lock horns with Punjab Kings in a very crucial encounter in Dubai. With both the sides fighting for a place in play-offs, it was expected to be a high-voltage contest with players ready to give everything on the field. The first 15 minutes of action certainly proved that the players of both sides were in with a purpose.
After being asked to bat first, Kolkata got off to an exciting start with Venkatesh Iyer and Shubman Gill playing few glorious shots. There was a bit of assistance for pacers with the new ball and PBKS skipper KL Rahul was quick to introduce youngster Arshdeep Singh into the attack, who has been quite impressive in recent matches.
Arshdeep Singh gives Punjab an early breakthrough
The left-arm pacer began his spell by bowling a fuller wide delivery going away from Shubman Gill. The KKR opener looked slightly out of position to play that delivery as he failed to make any contact. Arshdeep followed it up with an in-swinging delivery which went down the leg side for a wide. It was always going to be interesting to what the youngster would come up with on the next one.
Much to everyone's surprise, Arshdeep kept his plan very simple as he tried to bowl another in-swinger, but this time with some precision! The ball was full and straight which drew Gill to attempt a drive. However, it just nipped back in sharply at the last moment which completely bamboozled the KKR opener as the ball castled into the stumps, giving Arshdeep and Punjab an early breakthrough.
Watch the video here:
While Gill was dismissed on 7, Rahul Tripathi entered and KKR's score read 37/1 in 5 overs at the time of writing. Arshdeep registered an impressive spell with new ball with figures of 2-0-13-1.