Kings XI stay alive with crucial win

The Kings XI kept their slim hopes of making the IPL playoffs alive with a crucial win over the Kolkata Knight Riders in Mohali on Tuesday.
With star batsman Hashim Amla having left the squad to join up with the Proteas the Kings XI handed an IPL debut to Kiwi Matt Henry.
The Kings XI didn’t get off to the best start losing both openers in the powerplay with Manan Vohra (25) nicking off to Umesh Yadav in the fifth over before Martin Guptill (12) was trapped leg before by Sunil Narine.
Shaun Marsh (11) was nipped out by the highly economical Chris Woakes (2/20) who conceded just 10 from his first three overs.
Wriddhiman Saha (38) and skipper Glenn Maxwell (44) gave the innings some much needed impetus before both fell prey to Kuldeep Yadav (2/34).
The Kings XI didn’t get the big finish they were after but posted a decent score of 167/6 although with Chris Lynn and Sunil Narine opening for KKR any total is achievable for the men from Kolkata.
The Kings XI stay alive in IPL 10, have a look at all the maximums from their clash with KKR https://t.co/7s6DNVWS4n #VIVOIPL via @ipl
— Cricket365 (@Cricket365) May 9, 2017
While Lynn came off Narine was bowled by Sandeep Sharma for 18 off 10 balls.
Lynn (84) kept going at a rapid pace but couldn’t find a partner to stick with him as Gautam Gambhir (8) and Robin Uthappa (0) were removed by Rahul Tewatia before Manish Pandey (18) fell to debutant Henry.
When Lynn was run out in the 18th over the momentum swung firmly in the Kings XI’s favour and they would keep the pressure on to score a win and give themselves some hope of hauling in fourth placed Sunrisers Hyderabad after a 14 run victory.
Maxi was thrilled that his team got up for the win saying after the match: “I asked for an improved performance on the field and certainly got that tonight. Axar Patel led by example on the field.
“I suppose the spinners came into the game, Rahul Tewatia bowled really well. As soon as that first ball spun, we realised we could get in a lot of overs from the spinners. We were able to get a couple of wickets in the middle, and kept them quiet till the end.
“We probably left ourselves maybe 10-15 short, but the way we scrapped on the field and the way we bowled, outstanding.
“They [bowlers] were probably at their calmest, they knew what they wanted to do and executed it well. Still hanging in there by the skin of our teeth, but we’re giving our fans something to cheer for.”
Latest
-
News
Chris Silverwood hopes England batsmen can learn from quickfire third-Test loss
Silverwood would not be drawn into criticising the pitch.
-
News
England players clash online over Alex Hartley’s social media comments
Hartley advertised England Women’s one-day international with New Zealand by referencing the men’s third Test defeat inside two days to India.
-
News
Nat Sciver excels as England wrap up series win in New Zealand
Sciver claimed three for 26 and hit 63.
-
News
Joe Root invites ICC to make own judgement on Ahmedabad pitch
England were beaten by 10 wickets to go 2-1 down in the series.
-
News
It was nice to bat on – Rohit Sharma defends pitch after India seal two-day win
The hosts thrashed England by 10 wickets in Ahmedabad.
-
News
Charlotte Edwards elected as first female president of the PCA
The former England captain takes over from Graham Gooch at the Professional Cricketers’ Association.
-
News
Joe Root refuses to blame pitch for England’s quickfire defeat in Ahmedabad
It was the shortest match since 1935 in terms of balls bowled.
-
News
7 Tests with the most premature endings since 2000
A turning wicket caused chaos for batsmen on both sides as England’s first-innings collapse for 112 set the tone.
-
News
Pundits criticise pitch and England selection policy after heavy defeat to India
There were 17 wickets inside two sessions on the second day of the Test as Joe Root’s side suffered defeat.
-
News
India v England, Day 2: The hosts put Joe Root’s side in a spin
England slipped 2-1 down in the series.