FORMER record two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) continue their splendid run, as they beat defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by 17 runs, in Match 14 of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017 at the historic Eden Gardens Stadium on Saturday.
This was Kolkata’s third win in the tournament so far after four matches. They also move up to the top spot in the points table. Sunrisers, on the other hand, who had never won a game at this venue, had their winless drought continue.
This was Sunrisers’ second loss in the tournament this year so far, while they sit in the third spot in the table.
Riding on Robin Uthappa’s gritty half-century and spinners’ contribution, Kolkata Knight Riders today secured a 17-run win over defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad in their Indian Premier League match and climbed to the top of the table.
Defending a tricky 173 on a lively Eden track, KKR spin trio of Kuldeep Yadav (1/23), Sunil Narine (1/18) and Yusuf Pathan (1/2) gave vital breakthroughs to dent the chase of the Sunrisers and hand the team its second successive win at home.
For the Sunrisers, who began their campaign with back- to-back victories at home, this was their second defeat on the trot.
David Warner (26 off 30; 4×4) and Shikhar Dhawan (23 off 22; 4×4) gave Sunrisers a flying start with 45 from six overs but part-time spinner Pathan turned it around by removing the Indian left-hander en route to his impressive figures of 1-0- 2-1.
Brought in place of Piyush Chawla, chinaman Kuldeep then made his presence felt. He along with Narine accounted for 22 dot balls in the middle overs to put brakes in their chase.(Cricket Country)