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In the 24th match of the IPL 2020, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) stunned many cricket fans after snatching an almost impossible-looking victory against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium (Abu Dhabi).

After winning the toss, Kolkata Knight Riders captain Dinesh Karthik decided to bat first. At the end of the first innings, KKR scored 164/6 (20 overs). In reply, KXIP just failed to reach that target as they scored 162/5 (20 overs).

IPL 2020, Match 24: Kings XI Punjab vs Kolkata Knight Riders (KXIP vs KKR) – Highlights

Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) innings

Chasing down the 167 runs target, in-form KXIP openers KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal provided a perfect start with a century partnership.

In the early second over of that innings, Andre Russell dropped a chance of KL Rahul after attempting to take a catch running back towards long-off. Moreover, Russell also got an injury during that attempt which forced him to go off the field in that innings for more than once.

Since then, KXIP openers batted comfortably and set up a century partnership. While Rahul scored 50 runs in 42 balls, Agarwal took 33 balls to reach the same feat. Both completed their half-centuries in the 13th over of that innings.

KXIP, KKR, KXIP vs KKR, Highlights, Twitter Reactions — KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal (Image Credit: BCCI/IPL)

After the 115 runs opening partnership, Prasidh Krishna dismissed Agarwal for 56 runs off 39 balls (6 fours and only six). But suddenly, after that wicket fall, KXIP batting slowed down that brought back KKR into the game.

In the 18th over, Sunil Narine conceded only two runs and took the wicket of Nicholas Pooran (16 off 10 balls). In the very crucial next over, Prasidh Krishna conceded only six runs and dismissed Prabhsimran Singh (4) and captain KL Rahul (74 runs off 58 balls; 6 fours).

In the last over, KXIP had to score 14 runs. Sunil Narine bowled brilliantly in that over who picked up the wicket of Mandeep Singh on the fifth ball. On the final ball, KXIP required seven runs to win, but Glenn Maxwell only managed to hit a four as they suffered a two-run defeat.

Among the KKR bowlers, Prasidh Krishna (3/29) took three wickets and Sunil Narine (2/28) got two wickets.

Also Read: IPL 2020 – Most Wicket Takers (Purple Cap)

Scorecard:

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) innings

KKR didn’t get a good start as the opener Rahul Tripathi (4) was bowled by Mohammed Shami in the third over. Due to a horrible mixup with another opener Shubman Gill, Nitish Rana (2) was run out for just 2 runs in the next over. At the end of the mandatory powerplay, KKR scored 25/2.

For the third wicket, Gill and Eoin Morgan put the 49 runs partnership. In the 11th over, Morgan lost his wicket on 24 runs. Then captain Dinesh Karthik handled the situation with his firing batting and built up a solid partnership with the opener Gill.

Gill and Karthik managed to set up the 82 runs partnership for the fourth wicket. Gill scored 50 runs off 42 balls. After scoring 57 runs off 47 balls (5 fours), Gill was run-out in the 18th over. Before that run-out, skipper Karthik completed his half-century in just 22 balls.