Umesh Yadav held his nerve in the final over to fire Indian Premier League leaders Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to their fourth win of the tournament.The number nine launched a huge six over long-on to secure a two-wicket win with three balls to spare yesterday, leaving Rising Pune Supergiants with just one victory from five.
Chasing 161, Kolkata stuttered before Suryakumar Yadav’s 60 put them back into contention, but they lost their momentum in the middle overs as Pune began to restrict the runs.
The loss of regular wickets brought Pune into contention for a surprise win, but Umesh Yadav (7 not out) showed no signs of nerves as Kolkata maintained their impressive start.
Having won the toss, Gautam Gambhir’s decision to put the hosts in saw an early return as Faf du Plessis (4) was dismissed in the fourth over.
Ajinkya Rahane proved a more stubborn man to remove, though, as he held Pune’s innings together with 67 off 52 balls, the opener hitting four boundaries and three sixes.
But while Pune’s middle-order all got in, scoring runs proved tough as they recorded 15 boundaries – with Rahane claiming seven of them – in their 160-5.
Kolkata’s reply saw Robin Uthappa removed first ball by Albie Morkel (2-36), but Suryakumar Yadav and Yusuf Pathan (36) dragged them back on track with a fourth-wicket stand of 51.
Andre Russell looked set to become their matchwinner with a quickfire 17 but he was one of three late wickets that put Kolkata’s triumph in doubt.
When Piyush Chawla (8) was caught by Steve Smith off Thisara Perera (2-28) in the final over the momentum seemed to swing back to the hosts, but Umesh Yadav quickly ended the contest with a huge maximum one ball later.(Omni Sport)