Kolkata Knight Riders did not appear to be interested in playing the waiting game. Over the last few years, they've had enough. After thrashing Rajasthan Royals by 86 runs in Match 54 in Sharjah on Thursday, the two-time champions have all but clinched a spot in the IPL 2021 play-offs.
Rajasthan Royals were bowled out for 85, chasing 172, as Eoin Morgan's side were spot on on the field, led by Shivam Mavi (4/21) and Lockie Ferguson (3/18).
Kolkata Knight Riders have given a major blow to reigning champions Mumbai Indians' chances of making it to the last four, as they would need a miracle against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Friday to avoid the wooden spoon. KKR also ruined the dreams of Punjab Kings, who were thrashed by Chennai Super Kings by 6 wickets on Thursday with KL Rahul's brilliant 98 not out.
IPL 2021 Highlights: KKR BEATS RR
While KKR has cemented their fourth place on the IPL points table, with a Net Run Rate of +0.587, only Mumbai Indians can catch them. PBKS is in sixth place with 12 points, but RR hasn't gotten over ten.
The RR batting team is blown away by Shivam Mavi and Lockie Ferguson.
Kolkata Knight Riders came out all guns blazing with the ball after scoring 171 on a slow surface in Sharjah. Shakib Al Hasan got the ball rolling by dismissing the in-form Yashasvi Jaiswal in the opening over. Sanju Samson's important wicket was taken by Shivam Mavi, denting RR's aspirations and shattering the hearts of Mumbai Indians fans who would have been watching the event in Sharjah.
A cameo by Rahul Tewatia helped RR escape an unfavourable record.
Rajasthan Royals were in danger of posting the lowest total in IPL history (beating RCB's unfavourable record of 49) when they were reduced to 35 for 7 after Chris Morris was dismissed for 0 runs (LBW Varun Chakravarthy who also wanted to join the party).
However, a timely 44 from 36 balls from Rahul Tewatia, who had been largely unremarkable this season, helped them salvage face and total 85 in 16.1 overs. Sanju Samson's RR paid the price for their inconsistency in this IPL's live T20 matches, and Tewatia's Sharjah flashback came too late.
Shubman Gill continued up to his good form, scoring his second fifty of the season in just 40 balls. Gill, on the other hand, was defeated by Chris Morris by 56 points.
Nitish Rana may have only scored 12 runs, but he did it in just 5 balls, including a six and a boundary, plainly indicating the team's intentions. Despite losing wickets, KKR played as if they were ordered to imitate Brendon McCullum's style and continued trying for huge shots.
Rahul Tripathi contributed a 14-ball 21 and Dinesh Karthik 14 from 11 balls. Eoin Morgan, who had been struggling to connect bat to ball, would have gained confidence after his 13-run knock off 11 balls, which included a boundary and a six.
KKR scored 102 runs in the last 10 overs, making it impossible for Sanju Samson's side to reach the target.
The way KKR bounced back in the UAE leg of the tournament must give them a lot of confidence. KKR shed their cautious approach and came out firing with both the bat and the ball, winning five of their seven matches in the UAE.
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