Punjab Kings (PBKS) kicked-off IPL 2023 on a winning note as they defeated
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by seven runs in a rain affected contest in
Mohali. Kolkata, who won the toss and opted to field, got off to a slow
start with Bhanuka Rajapaksa leading the charge for the hosts. Rajapaksa
slammed a 32-ball 50 and stitched a vital 86-run stand with skipper Shikhar
Dhawan for the second wicket.
Dhawan was dismissed for 40 (29), while Sam Curran chipped in with
an unbeaten 26 off 17 balls. KKR in response got off to a poor start as
Arshdeep Singh picked two wickets in his first over and moments later
Nathan Ellis scalped one. However, skipper Nitish Rana along with KKR’s
Impact Player Venkatesh Iyer steadied things, before Sikandar Raza removed
the KKR skipper for 24(17). Following his dismissal KKR lost one more
wicket, before Andre Russell took matters into his hands. He scored 35 in
19 balls.
Shardul Thakur and Sunil Narine were batting in the middle, when
rain interrupted the proceedings. Kolkata at that moment required 46 to win
in four overs as Punjab stood 7 runs ahead as per DLS method. Meanwhile,
Tim Southee was the most expensive among KKR bowlers. The Kiwi quick
conceded 54 runs and scalped two wickets in his quota.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by seven runs in a rain affected contest in
Mohali. Kolkata, who won the toss and opted to field, got off to a slow
start with Bhanuka Rajapaksa leading the charge for the hosts. Rajapaksa
slammed a 32-ball 50 and stitched a vital 86-run stand with skipper Shikhar
Dhawan for the second wicket.
Dhawan was dismissed for 40 (29), while Sam Curran chipped in with
an unbeaten 26 off 17 balls. KKR in response got off to a poor start as
Arshdeep Singh picked two wickets in his first over and moments later
Nathan Ellis scalped one. However, skipper Nitish Rana along with KKR’s
Impact Player Venkatesh Iyer steadied things, before Sikandar Raza removed
the KKR skipper for 24(17). Following his dismissal KKR lost one more
wicket, before Andre Russell took matters into his hands. He scored 35 in
19 balls.
Shardul Thakur and Sunil Narine were batting in the middle, when
rain interrupted the proceedings. Kolkata at that moment required 46 to win
in four overs as Punjab stood 7 runs ahead as per DLS method. Meanwhile,
Tim Southee was the most expensive among KKR bowlers. The Kiwi quick
conceded 54 runs and scalped two wickets in his quota.
