Match Summary: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals - IPL 2019
The 27th match of IPL 2019 witnessed an exhilarating contest at the iconic Eden Gardens, Kolkata, as the Delhi Capitals triumphed over Kolkata Knight Riders by 7 wickets.
Match Details:
- Date: April 13, 2019
- Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata, India
Kolkata Knight Riders Innings
Kolkata Knight Riders won the toss and opted to bat first, setting a target of 179 runs. The innings had its highs and lows, but ultimately KKR posted a total of 178 runs with a brisk run rate of 8.9 runs per over.
Top Performers:
- Shubman Gill stood tall in the batting lineup with an impressive score of 65 runs off 70 balls, featuring 7 fours and 2 sixes, earning a strike rate of 166.66.
- Andre Russell once again showcased his explosive batting prowess, scoring 45 runs from just 34 balls, which included 3 fours and 4 sixes, at a blistering strike rate of 214.28.
- Unfortunately, the KKR batsmen struggled to build on their starts, with key contributions from RV Uthappa (28 runs) and the captain Dinesh Karthik floundering at just 2 runs.
Bowling Highlights for Delhi Capitals:
- Chris Morris and Kagiso Rabada were the pick of the bowlers for Delhi, each taking 2 wickets and contributing significantly to curtailing KKR's scoring. Morris finished with figures of 2 wickets for 38 runs in 4 overs while Rabada managed to claim 2 wickets at the cost of 42 runs.
Delhi Capitals Innings
Chasing a target of 179 runs, the Delhi Capitals made a solid start, racing to their target in just 18.5 overs, reaching 180 runs for the loss of 3 wickets. The victory was secured by a remarkable performance from their opener, Shikhar Dhawan.
Top Performers:
- Shikhar Dhawan played a masterclass innings, remaining unbeaten on 97 runs from 98 balls, hitting 11 fours and 2 sixes, thereby showcasing his prowess at the top of the order.
- Rishabh Pant also made a significant contribution with a swift 46 runs off 59 balls, providing the steady support Dhawan needed to lead the batting charge.
Bowling Highlights for Kolkata Knight Riders:
- Andre Russell was notably effective with the ball as well, taking 1 wicket for 29 runs in 3 overs, while N Rana managed to snag a wicket off just 2 runs in 2 overs, maintaining pressure on the batsmen.
Conclusion
In a closely contested match, the Delhi Capitals displayed a dominant performance, successfully chasing down the target set by Kolkata Knight Riders, who faced difficulties in their batting lineup despite some individual highlights. The victory retained Delhi's impressive form in the tournament. KKR will need to regroup and improve in the following matches to stay relevant in this highly competitive league.