KXIP vs KKR Man of the Match: Kolkata Knight Riders batsman was declared Man of the Match for his stellar innings.
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During the 52nd match of the ongoing 12th season of the Indian Premier League between Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders at Mohali, Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Kings XI Punjab by 7 wickets to press their case for qualifying to the playoffs.
After KKR captain Dinesh Karthik won the toss and put KXIP in to bat, the hosts ended up scoring 183/6 in their allotted quota of 20 overs. It was all-rounder Sam Curran’s maiden half-century which saw Punjab scoring a potentially above par score.
With bowling figures of 4-0-31-2, Knight Riders fast bowler Sandeep Warrier was the pick of their bowlers.
KXIP vs KKR Man of the Match
Chasing a 184-run target, Knight Riders prospered on the back of a 62-run opening stand between Shubman Gill and Chris Lynn (46). In what was a solid foundation, it saw the 19-year old Gill remaining unbeaten till the end. Anchoring the chase perfectly, Gill made sure that his team never lacks behind in the chase.
The manner in which he took on KXIP captain Ravichandran Ashwin in the middle overs was the pinnacle of his innings. Having scored 65* (49) with the help of five fours and a couple of sixes, Gill was awarded the Man of the Match for the same.
“Feels big [maiden Man of the Match award on home ground]. It was important to build partnerships. When I was batting at 80-90 [strike rate], the team was doing well. That’s when I decided to bat till the end.
“My whole family was there, even some relatives from the village. It was good to play here. I’m still trying to figure out my game in T20s,” Gill was quoted as saying during the post-match presentation ceremony.
