It was a big match Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) taking on Punjab Kings, but the party ended very shortly. Lightning, torrential rains and severe winds sent the players off the field. The downpour intensified within the first over of KKR’s chase, leading umpires to remove players from the field. The game finished 0-0 with each side leaving with one point. Consequently, Punjab languishes in fourth position whereas Kolkata ranks seventh.
Even with Punjab Kings hitting strong during the first six overs, PBKS openers Arya, Prabhsimran formed a solid opening stand. The pair ensured that the team crossed the 120-run mark for the first-wicket partnership, laying the perfect foundation. Arya absolutely bossed the partnership, showing aggressive, boundary-filled batting that never let KKR’s bowlers settle.
Prabhsimran was a huge addition to the squad. He increased his strike rate and accelerated the scoring, putting the Kings into a strong position to post a big total. KKR’s bowlers seized on the pressure over the closing stages of the match. They restricted Punjab to just 43 runs in those final six overs. This late-game bowling outburst would prove just how tough KKR are, even under such dreadful conditions.
One of the better sequences from KKR was the way they treated Glenn Maxwell. Yet, he could only muster seven runs before returning to the pavilion. This tournament though, Maxwell’s woes only worsened, and his average is now a paltry eight after six trips to the crease. His form has understandably worried fans and analysts alike, given that he is supposed to be one of the most important players for KKR.
As the rain started to come down for real, even it was obvious that this match was not coming back on. Umpires made the decision to call off play at 18:30 BST, confirming that neither team would secure a victory on this day. Punjab Kings firmly in fourth place in the Indian Premier League standings. At the same time, Kolkata Knight Riders languish down in seventh, four points adrift of the playoff spots.
Leave a Reply