IPL 2021: KKR vs PBKS- KKR return to winning ways as Eoin Morgan guides his team past the finishing line

KKR vs PBKS: Kolkata Knight Riders returned to winning ways, after they secured a five-wicket victory over Punjab Kings on Monday. KKR came into the match on the back of four consecutive defeats, and only one win in their opening five matches. Eoin Morgan led from the front, with an unbeaten knock of 47 runs, to guide his team past the finishing line.

The match was played at the Narendra Modi Stadium, which was the first game of the season at this venue. Eoin Morgan won the toss and opted to field first. KKR bowlers did a fine job, and restricted a strong PBKS batting lineup to just 123 runs from their 20 overs.

Prasidh Krishna had the best outing of the season so far, picking up three wickets in his four over spell. Eoin Morgan and Rahul Tripathi stitched a crucial 66-run partnership, after KKR lost three early wickets. The Englishman scored an unbeaten knock of 47 runs from 40 balls, and was adjudged the player of the match.

PBKS batting lineup crumbles yet again

KL Rahul failed to score big against KKR

Punjab Kings had another dismal outing with the bat on Monday. They could manage to score just 123 runs in their 20 overs, whilst losing nine wickets. KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal got their side off to a decent start, scoring 36 runs in just five overs. However, a collapse followed after Rahul was dismissed for a score of just 19 runs.

Chris Gayle was dismissed for a golden duck, whereas, Mayank Agarwal could manage to score only 31 runs. Nicholas Pooran poor start to the season continued as he scored 19 runs off 19 balls, before being dismissed by Varun Chakravarthy. Chris Jordan’s late knock of 30 runs helped PBKS finish with a score over 12o runs, and gave the bowlers some runs to defend in the second innings. This is the third time in the season, when Punjab’s batting has failed to deliver. Their top order crumbled against Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad, posting modest totals on the board.

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Shivam Mavi delivers an impressive performance

Shivam Mavi picked up the key wicket of Chris Gayle

Shivam Mavi delivered an impressive performance on Monday, as he picked up one wicket in his four-over spell, and conceded just 13 runs. The Indian pacer picked up the key wicket of Chris Gayle in the seventh over of the game. The West Indian batsman was sent back to the pavilion for a golden duck, after he was caught behind by Dinesh Karthik.

Prasidh Krishna also delivered a good performance, picking up three wickets in his four-over spell, and conceding just 30 runs. He picked up the key wickets of Deepak Hooda and Shahrukh Khan. Varun Chakravarthy continued with his good form, as the spinner dismissed Nicholas Pooran, just when he was getting settled in the middle. Pat Cummins was a bit expensive, conceding 31 runs in 3 overs, but he managed to pick two wickets, including the priced wicket of KL Rahul.

Shubman Gill’s struggles continue, Eoin Morgan delivers under pressure

Eoin Morgan scored an unbeaten knock of 47 runs

Shubman Gill’s poor season with the bat continued, as he managed to score just 9 runs against PBKS. The Indian batsman has now scored 89 runs in his six matches, and is struggling to find any sort of confidence. Rahul Tripathi scored a quickfire knock of 41 runs from 32 balls, and stitched a vital partnership with captain, Eoin Morgan.

Eoin Morgan scored an unbeaten knock of 47 runs from 40 balls, and came in at a time when the score read 17 runs for the loss of three wickets. The KKR batsman was himself struggling for poor form prior to the match against Punjab Kings, but is now back among the runs. This is a positive sign for Knight Riders, given their struggles with batting this season.