Key Points
Iyer's explosive 60 off 29 balls anchors KKR's recovery
Raghuvanshi's mature 50 stabilizes innings after early collapse
Rinku Singh's unbeaten 32 accelerates death overs
SRH bowlers struggle to contain KKR's late surge
KKR finished their innings at 200/6 in 20 overs, recovering from early setbacks with a dynamic middle-order partnership.
The KKR opening partnership, which had failed to find momentum in previous games, endured another underwhelming outing. Sunil Narine and Quinton de Kock could not provide the explosive start the team desired.
After a quiet first over, de Kock miscued a pull shot off Pat Cummins and was caught in the deep for just one (6 balls). Narine followed soon after, edging an over-pitched delivery from Mohammed Shami to the keeper for seven (7 balls). KKR were left struggling at 17/2 in three overs, bringing captain Ajinkya Rahane and young Angkrish Raghuvanshi to the crease.
With KKR in trouble, Rahane and Raghuvanshi stabilized the innings with calculated aggression. The duo took advantage of short deliveries, keeping the scoreboard ticking with well-timed boundaries and excellent running between the wickets. Rahane hit three sixes and played fluently before falling for 38 (27 balls) while attempting a reverse sweep against Zeeshan Ansari.
Raghuvanshi, displaying maturity beyond his years, brought up his second IPL fifty off just 30 balls. However, his impressive innings of 50 (32 balls, five fours, two sixes) came to an end when he sliced Kamindu Mendis' off-spin to deep backward point. At 109/4 in 13.2 overs, KKR had lost both set batters, shifting the responsibility to their middle-order.
With the innings at a critical juncture, Venkatesh Iyer (60 off 29 balls) and Rinku Singh (unbeaten 32 off 17) took charge. Initially cautious, the duo unleashed a flurry of attacking strokes in the death overs. Venkatesh found his rhythm with powerful shots off Simarjeet and Shami, while Rinku ignited KKR's charge with three consecutive fours off Harshal Patel in the 17th over.
The 19th over bowled by Cummins proved to be the turning point, as Rinku smashed 4,6,4,4,2,1, reaching his fifty in just 25 balls. The final partnership yielded 91 off just 41 balls, at a stunning run rate of 11.25.
KKR's late surge saw them add 91 runs in the last seven overs, propelling their total to 200 in 20 overs. The innings was defined by Venkatesh Iyer's anchoring role and Rinku Singh's fearless hitting, putting the pressure back on SRH's bowling attack.
Brief scores:
Kolkata Knight Riders 200/6 in 20 overs (Venkatesh Iyer 60, Angkrish Raghuvanshi 50; Mohammed Shami 1-29, Zeeshan Ansari 1-25) against Sunrisers Hyderabad
Comments:
Sanjay R.
Rinku Singh is just built different! That 19th over demolition of Cummins was pure carnage 🔥 KKR's death overs batting is a cheat code this season.
Priya M.
Raghuvanshi continues to impress! For a young player to anchor the innings like that under pressure shows incredible temperament. Future star in the making 💫
Arjun K.
Respectful criticism: KKR's opening pair needs serious work. Can't keep relying on middle order miracles every match. Narine's form is concerning.
Neha S.
91 runs in last 7 overs! That's why I love T20 cricket - the momentum shifts are insane. Venkatesh Iyer's acceleration was so smooth 👌
Rahul J.
As an SRH fan, I'm nervous about this chase. That total looks 15-20 above par on this pitch. Our bowlers lost the plot completely at the death.
Divya T.
The Rahane-Raghuvanshi partnership was so crucial! They rebuilt perfectly after those early wickets. This is why experience + youth combos work so well.
