In the 54th match of the IPL 2020, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) beat Rajasthan Royals (RR) at Dubai International Cricket Stadium (Dubai) to stay in the contention for playoffs qualification of this tournament.
Rajasthan Royals captain Steven Smith decided to field first after winning the toss. KKR managed to score 191/7 (20 overs) at the end of the first innings. In reply, Rajasthan Royals only managed to score 131/9 as KKR won that match by 60 runs.
While Kolkata Knight Riders still have hope to qualify for the playoffs of this tournament, Rajasthan Royals haven’t any more chance to advance in this stage.
Also Read: IPL 2020 – Latest Points Table
IPL 2020, Match 54: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals (KKR vs RR) – Highlights
Rajasthan Royals (RR) innings
Rajasthan Royals made a good early start with 19/0 in just five balls, but once the opener Robin Uthappa (6) was dismissed on the final ball of that over, KKR completely controlled the game, thanks to firing start of Pat Cummins, who got his all four wickets inside the powerplay. At the end of the powerplay, Rajasthan Royals scored 41/5.
Only four Rajasthan Royals batsmen managed to reach the double-digit scores in that innings. These players are Jos Buttler (35), Rahul Tewatia (31), Shreyas Gopal (23*) and opener Ben Stokes (18).
Pat Cummins finished the game with the bowling figures of 4-0-34-4. Also, Shivam Mavi (2/15) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/20) got two wickets each. While Kamlesh Nagarkoti (1/24) got one wicket, Sunil Narine (0/37) finished with the wicket-less bowling figures.
Also Read: IPL 2020 – Most Wicket Takers (Purple Cap)
Scorecard:
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) innings
Jofra Archer dismissed opener Nitish Rana for a golden duck. But another opener Shubman Gill and Rahul Tripathi handled the powerplay very well. While KKR scored 55/1 at the end of the powerplay, Gill-Tripathi built up the 72 runs partnership for the second wicket.
But once that partnership was broken in the ninth over by Rahul Tewatia, KKR batsmen suddenly struggled as they went down from 73/1 to 99/5. While Gill scored 36 runs, Tripathi scored 39 runs.
During the struggling period, captain Eoin Morgan and comeback-man Andre Russell helped their side to move on from the depressing situation quickly as they built up a 45-run partnership for the sixth wicket in just 18 balls. Though Russell lost his wicket after scoring 25 runs off just 11 balls (only four and 3 sixes), Morgan continued his impressive batting to secure a good first innings total.
Also Read: IPL 2020 – Most Run-Scorers (Orange Cap)
Captain Morgan scored a 30-ball fifty and remained not out on 68 runs off 35 balls (5 fours and 6 sixes).
While Rahul Tewatia (3/25) took three wickets, Karthik Tyagi (2/36) picked up two wickets in that innings.
Scorecard:
IPL 2020, Match 54: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals (KKR vs RR) – Twitter Reactions
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) November 1, 2020
What a win this is! We believe! ???#KKRHaiTaiyaar #Dream11IPL #KKRvRR
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) November 1, 2020
Not our best day, but we fought till the end. Until next time, Royals. ?#KKRvRR | #HallaBol | #RoyalsFamily | #IPL2020 pic.twitter.com/vtiwks0ZuH
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) November 1, 2020
Rajasthan Royals finish last on Points Table for the first time in their IPL journey.
This is also the first time a former IPL champion has finished last! #IPL2020
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) November 1, 2020
This aged well @rajasthanroyals ??? https://t.co/c3MB6zXSAj
— Scott Styris (@scottbstyris) November 1, 2020
Sensational from @KKRiders. Have given themselves a real chance of qualifying. Didn't think they could at 100-5 after 13. Morgan and Cummins and that catch from Karthik! But it was as much the pressure of the chase that got to RR.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 1, 2020
.@DineshKarthik’s stunning catch to dismiss Ben Stokes arguably the best of #IPL2020. Great anticipation, reflexes, agility, and hand(s)
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) November 1, 2020
Best bowler bowling against the Best Batsman in the world and a superb catch by @DineshKarthik ☝??? to top it off ,I love this game #IPL #IPL2020 #KKRvRR
— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) November 1, 2020
Wow… #DK you have just compensated for your batting tonight! #ProGyaan #IPL2020 #KKRvsRR
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) November 1, 2020
Rajasthan Royals not only lost, but they also finished last! Now, SRH's win will finally settle the play-off positions. #KKRvRR Morgan, Russell and Cummins, the overseas superstar did it for KKR.
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) November 1, 2020
Huge win for @KKRiders they will be keeping an eye on the next two games very closely! #morgan #cummins #VarunChakravarthy #shivammavi
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) November 1, 2020
Two players that #DelhiCapitals traded before the #IPL2020
Rahul Tewatia—only Indian players in the tournament to score 200 runs and take 10 wickets.
Trent Boult—20 wickets.— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) November 1, 2020
Very good innings this by @Eoin16
Just like you expect from a senior member of the team.
A lot of takeaways for other players in the team#KKRvRR— Vinod Kambli (@vinodkambli349) November 1, 2020