Two-time champions Kolkata bowed out of the race for the highest 4
By:
Pramod Thomas
Lucknow Tremendous Kings survived an unbeaten blitz of 67 by Rinku Singh to edge Kolkata Knight Riders by one run and qualify for the Indian Premier League play-offs on Saturday (20).
Nicholas Pooran’s 58 guided Lucknow to 176-8, a complete that was threatened by Rinku, a left-hand batsman, who smashed 4 sixes in his 33-ball knock however Kolkata ended on 175-7.
“First response is satisfaction,” Lucknow skipper Krunal Pandya stated after the win.
“We by no means gave up, we have been put beneath plenty of stress however credit score to the boys. At one stage, they have been 61-1 however I’ve seen it earlier than that at this stage, two-three tight overs and we’re within the recreation.”
The consequence ensured a top-two end for Chennai Tremendous Kings, who hammered hosts Delhi Capitals by 77 runs of their march to the play-offs within the first match of the day.
4-time champions Chennai, led by M S Dhoni, will tackle holders Gujarat Titans, who high the 10-team desk, within the first qualifier.
The winner will head straight to the ultimate in Ahmedabad on Could 28 and the loser taking part in the winner of the “eliminator” between groups three and 4 within the second qualifier.
“There is no such thing as a recipe as such,” Dhoni stated on his group’s success within the T20 match.
“You attempt to choose the perfect gamers and attempt to give them the perfect slot. You employ them within the method the place they’ve most probabilities of succeeding and groom them within the areas the place they aren’t as robust.”
Two-time champions Kolkata bowed out of the race for the highest 4, leaving five-time champions Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals preventing for the remaining spot.
Kolkata started strongly to place Lucknow in bother at 73-5 earlier than the left-handed Pooran hit again in his 30-ball blitz to information his group to 176-8 at Eden Gardens and was named man of the match.
In reply, England’s Jason Roy, who hit 45, and Venkatesh Iyer gave Kolkata a brisk begin of their stand of 61 in 5.5 overs earlier than the Lucknow spinners hit again.
Kolkata misplaced monitor after Roy’s wicket however Rinku, who grew to become an IPL sensation along with his 5 sixes off 5 balls final month, made Kolkata dream once more even after they wanted 41 off the final two overs.
Within the opening match, New Zealand’s Devon Conway (87) and Gaikwad (79) arrange Chennai’s win with a gap stand of 141 to steer the group to 223-3.
Skipper David Warner hit a valiant 86 however Chennai stored down Delhi, who’re coached by Ricky Ponting, to 146-9 and end the group stage with eight wins.
The season stays particular for Dhoni, who’s believed to be taking part in his final season and has attracted large crowds sporting the groups’ yellow as a tribute to the legendary cricketer.
Dhoni, 41, although has stored the followers guessing and nonetheless not clarified on his swansong.
(Reuters)
