Another last ball thriller in IPL as KKR Stun PBKS | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings | IPL 2023 Match Report | Indian Premier League 2023
Ladies and gentlemen, what a match we witnessed today! Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) went head-to-head in a nail-biting thriller that kept us on the edge of our seats until the very last ball. The match was held at the iconic Eden Gardens stadium, and it was a contest that will be remembered for a long time.
KKR won the toss and elected to field first, and PBKS came out all guns blazing. Prabhsimran Singh, the young opener, took the attack to the KKR bowlers, hitting three boundaries in the first over. However, KKR’s Harshit Rana had other plans. He bowled with great control and picked up two wickets in his first two overs, including that of Prabhsimran. PBKS were in trouble, but Shikhar Dhawan held the innings together with a well-made fifty.
KKR’s spinners then took over, and they bowled with great discipline and accuracy. Varun Chakravarthy, in particular, was outstanding, picking up three wickets and choking the PBKS batsmen with his variations. PBKS could only manage 179/7 in their 20 overs, which was a below-par score on a slow pitch.
KKR’s chase got off to a shaky start, with Nathan Ellis picking up the wicket of opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz. However, Nitish Rana and Jason Roy steadied the ship with a solid partnership. Nitish was the aggressor, scoring a quickfire fifty, while Roy played a supporting role. PBKS fought back with some tight bowling, and KKR found themselves needing 56 runs off the last five overs.
Enter Andre Russell. The big-hitting West Indian has been out of form this season, but he showed why he is one of the most dangerous batsmen in the world. He smashed 20 runs off Sam Curran’s 19th over, bringing the equation down to six runs off the last over. Arshdeep Singh, the young left-arm pacer, bowled a brilliant last over, denying Russell the big hits he was looking for. Russell was run out off the fifth ball, and KKR needed two runs off the last ball to win.
Rinku Singh, the hero of KKR’s last-ball win against Rajasthan Royals, was at the crease. The tension was palpable, and the crowd was on its feet. Arshdeep bowled a full-toss, and Rinku flicked it to the square leg boundary for a four. The KKR dugout erupted in joy, and Rinku was mobbed by his teammates. What a finish to a thrilling match!
KKR’s win takes them to 10 points from 11 matches, level with PBKS. The race for the playoffs is heating up, with five teams tied on 10 points in the middle of the table. KKR will be hoping to carry this momentum into their next match, while PBKS will be looking to bounce back from this defeat.
In conclusion, this was a match that had everything – great bowling, solid batting, and a thrilling finish. KKR’s spinners set up the win, while Russell and Rinku provided the finishing touches. PBKS fought hard, but they fell just short in the end. This is what T20 cricket is all about – high-octane action, drama, and excitement. We can’t wait for the next match!
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