HYDERABAD: A poor display of fielding by Deccan Chargers helped Kolkata Knight Riders to a 20-run victory in the Indian Premier League 2011 (IPL 2011) at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here Tuesday night.
Yusuf Pathan. Courtesy: AP PHOTO
Yusuf Pathan was the main destroyer for Kolkata Knight Riders as the hard-hitting middle-order batsman hit three sixes and as many boundaries during his unbeaten innings of 47 runs from just 26 balls as Deccan Chargers found the ball a hot potato every time Pathan hit it in the air. Yusuf Pathan was dropped thrice in his innings that changed the course of the match.
With this victory, Kolkata Knight Riders have jumped to the top position in the Indian Premier League 2011 points table with 12 points; Mumbai Indians also have 12 points but a better Net Run Rate gives Shah Rukh Khan’s KKR the advantage who have played one more game than the Sachin’s team.
Iqbal Abdullah. Courtesy: AP PHOTO
Batting first, Kolkata scored a huge total of 169 runs for the loss of only four wickets from their 20 overs as all of their batsmen chipped in with useful contributions.
Eoin Morgan (14 from 15 – 1 six), who has been promoted up the order to open for KKR, once again found it tough to face the new ball but his partner Jacques Kallis (30 from 31 – 4 fours) looked in great touch yet again as the first two wickets put on 79 runs at just about seven runs per over.
Kolkata captain Gautam Gambhir (35 from 22 – 3 fours, 1 six) then upped the run rate with some lusty blows and was ably supported by Yusuf Pathan (47 not out from 26 – 3 fours, 3 sixes) before Manoj Tiwary (33 from 28 – 3 fours, 1 six) provided the late impetus as Kolkata batsmen punished Deccan bowlers for being flat by scoring 82 runs from the last seven overs.
Iqbal Abdullah, Kumar Sangakkara. Courtesy: AP PHOTO
Deccan Chargers started off in a quick fashion as the both openers played their strokes freely against Brett Lee and Lakshmipathi Balaji. Sunny Sohal (26 from 20 – 3 fours) was the first man to go when Iqbal Abdulla got rid of him.
Iqbal Abdulla, who has been the most successful bowler for Kolkata Knight Riders, struck once again when he dislodged Deccan Chargers skipper Kumar Sangakkara for a duck as suddenly the chase got derailed.
Struggling at 41 for two, Deccan Chargers needed somebody to play an anchor role and while Shikhar Dhawan (54 from 45 – 4 fours, 1 six) was firm at one end, Australian Twenty20 specialist batsman Cameron White (13 from 13 – 1 four) joined him but the partnership was broken by Rajat Bhatia when the pair had added 27 runs.
Yusuf Pathan. Courtesy: AP PHOTO
Bhatia also sent Daniel Christian (1 from 3) packing in the same over but then Ravi Teja (30 from 22 – 3 fours) played a little cameo to keep the hosts in the hunt but he and Dhawan lost their wickets in the space of four deliveries to put an end to the Chargers’ charge.
In the end, Deccan Chargers managed to score 149 runs for the loss of six wickets from their 20 overs, thus falling 20 runs short of the target.
The victory took Kolkata Knight Riders on top of the league standings while Deccan Chargers, who have three wins from nine matches, are struggling at seventh position.
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