Rapid-fire half-centuries by Rishabh Pant and Tristan Stubbs were overshadowed as Kolkata Knight Riders demolished Delhi Capitals by 106 runs in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday. Powered by explosive innings from Sunil Narine (85 off 39 balls) and Angkrish Raghuvanshi (54 off 27 balls), supported by a late onslaught from Andre Russell (41 off 19 balls) and Rinku Singh (26 off 8 balls), KKR amassed a staggering 272/7 – the second-highest total in IPL history. DC’s chase faltered early, managing only 166 runs in response.
Is it another Sunil Narine explosion?
Absolutely.
The pinch-hitter, who seemed to have lost some of his magic touch against short deliveries in recent seasons, has returned this season in top form. Building on his previous performance, he dominated the DC bowlers. After a quiet start, where he was contained by Khaleel Ahmed and Ishant Sharma, managing only 8 runs off his first nine deliveries, he unleashed his fury in the fourth over. Narine launched a length delivery over long-off and then pulled a short delivery over deep square leg. His assault continued, pummeling Ishant’s deliveries for 26 runs in that over.
Narine continued his onslaught against Rashik Salam in the final over of the powerplay, smashing three boundaries and a six as KKR reached 88/1 before the field restrictions were lifted. In just 21 balls, he reached his half-century, with the last 43 runs coming off only 12 deliveries.No bowler was spared in Narine’s rampage. He punished Axar for 19 runs and attacked every delivery sent his way.
Although he didn’t always find the middle of the bat, his power and a bit of luck ensured the ball landed in safe areas. Narine’s innings came to an end in the 13th over when his attempted shot off Mitchell Marsh caught the edge and went to the wicketkeeper. By then, KKR’s score had soared to 164.
What was happening at the other end?
His opening partner, Phil Salt, who aggressively took on the bowlers in the first three overs, fell shortly after. However, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, in his debut IPL innings, made his mark in grand style. He started by pulling Anrich Nortje for a boundary and then punched a short delivery through the point region for another four.
Raghuvanshi showcased an array of innovative shots, including the reverse scoop and reverse sweep, with great effect. Ending the ninth over with a six and a four, he continued to dominate, smashing Salam for two sixes in the 11th over. He formed a crucial 104-run partnership in 48 balls for the second wicket with Narine, but fell soon after, ramping Nortje to Ishant stationed at fine third man.
The onslaught at the death?
Delhi Capitals’ troubles didn’t end with the dismissal of the second wicket. Andre Russell and Rinku Singh continued to pulverize the bowlers as expected. The duo added 67 runs in just 27 balls, hitting six sixes and five boundaries. The attempt to avoid their hitting zones resulted in numerous wides, adding to KKR’s total. At the end of the penultimate over, KKR needed only 14 runs to surpass the highest total in the tournament’s history. However, a fine over by Ishant began with a yorker that sent Russell’s stumps flying, followed by the dismissal of Ramandeep with a slower ball.
Despite the carnage, Shreyas Iyer struggled initially but managed to hit a couple of sixes during his brief stay at the crease dominated by Russell.
How did DC respond in their chase?
Mitchell Starc and Vaibhav Arora ensured there was no repeat of Mumbai Indians-like challenge, picking up two wickets each in the powerplay, leaving DC at 33/4.Rishabh Pant and Tristan Stubbs launched a counter-attack to help DC reach a respectable total. Pant smashed a couple of sixes off Russell, while Stubbs took on Varun Chakravarthy, hitting him for two sixes.
Although Stubbs was dropped by Shreyas at deep mid-wicket, Pant’s brutal assault on Venkatesh Iyer in the 12th over added 28 runs to DC’s total.However, Chakravarthy dismissed Pant and Axar off successive deliveries in the next over, triggering another collapse. Stubbs took on Narine but fell soon after bringing up his half-century.
Apart from the 93-run stand between Pant and Stubbs, DC’s batting lineup offered little resistance as they were bundled out in 17.2 overs.
Kolkata Knight Riders scored 272 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in 20 overs, with Sunil Narine contributing 85 runs and Angkrish Raghuvanshi adding 54 runs. Delhi Capitals managed to score 166 runs, losing all their wickets in 17.2 overs. Rishabh Pant and Tristan Stubbs scored 55 and 54 runs respectively for Delhi Capitals.
Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Delhi Capitals by a margin of 106 runs.