Eoin Morgan’s 47 blunts Punjab Kings’ challenge

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The colossal Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad witnessed the change of fortune for Kolkata Knight Riders. After tasting defeat in their last 4 matches, KKR faced Punjab Kings in the 21st game of IPL2021. In the crucial game, captain Eoin Morgan led from the front with a fighting 47* (40) to register a 5 wicket victory for KKR.

Chasing a tricky target of 124 was not a cakewalk for KKR as a determined PBSK bowling attacked fought valiantly. Playing in his 3rd match of the IPL2021, Moises Henriques delivered the first blow by removing Nitish Rana for a golden duck in the 1st over. Shubman Gill was trapped in front of his wicket on 9(8) by Md Shami in the next over. In the 3rd over Sunil Narine was dismissed for 0 of 4 balls, courtesy of a fantastic catch by Ravi Vishnoi at deep mid-wicket off the bowling of Arshdeep Singh. With the score tottering at 17/3 PBSK was truly back in the game and a herculean rescue act was the need of the hour for KKR.

The world cup winning captain, Eoin Morgan responded to the crisis with an astonishing inning that took KKR home. Rahul Tripathi and Morgan took the attack to the bowlers with a partnership of 66 runs for the fourth wicket. While Tripathi smashed the bowlers around the park in his 41(32) with 7 fours, Morgan played sensibly by rotating the strike.

After the loss of Tripathi on 83/4, Morgan changed gears by hitting 4 fours and 2 sixes in his unbeaten innings of 47*(40). With late-inning support from Andre Russell 10(9) and Dinesh Karthik 12*(6), Captain Morgan took KKR over the line.

Earlier in the game, after winning the toss Morgan chose to bowl as traditionally dew plays a significant role at the venue in the evening. KKR bowlers stuck to the task and made run-scoring difficult for PBSK batsmen. Skipper KL Rahul became the first victim of KKR’s havoc with the ball. The skipper was dismissed for 19 (20) by Pat Cummins in the 6th Over. 2 runs later rookie Shivam Mavi sent Chris Gayle back to the pavilion for the 2nd golden duck of his IPL career. Deepak Hooda followed suit as Prashid Krishna removed him for just a single reducing the score to 42/3.

But the worst was yet to come for PBSK as Sunil Narine continued his love affair with its batsmen. Narine removed Mayank Agarwal for 31(34), followed by Moises Henriques 2(3) at the score of 75/5. Narine became the highest wicket-taker against PBSK with 30 wickets in this match. Nicholas Puran 19(19) and Shahrukh Khan 13(14) were dismissed cheaply by Varun Chakravarthy and Pradish Krishna respectively. Whereas Ravi Bishnoi 1(4) became Pat Cummins; 2nd victim of the match.

A late innings cameo from Chris Jordon 30(18), studded with 3 sixes and 1 four pushed the score to 123/9, bringing some respectability to their batting effort.

Prasidh Krishna was the pick of the bowlers for KKR, returning with the figures of 3/30 from his 4 overs. Ably supported by Sunil Narine 2/22 and Pat Cummins 2/31. Morgan contributed in the field with 3 crucial catches as well. For his all-around performance, Eoin Morgan was chosen as the man of the match.

KKR next faces the 2nd placed DC on 29th April while PSBK will take on the 3rd placed RCB on 30th April. With 2 wins from 6 games, the knight-riders are placed at number 5 in the points table. Whereas with identical numbers Punjab Kings has slipped to number 6 due to inferior run-rate.