Kings XI Punjab produced an all- round performance to finally arrest their slide, beating Gujarat Lions by 26 runs in a one-sided Indian Premier League encounter. KXIP now have six points from seven games while Lions remain at the bottom with four points.
SCORECARD || FULL COVERAGE || MATCH REPORT
MAN OF THE MATCH- Hashim Amla
KXIP win by 26 runs
GUJARAT LIONS (target 189)
Over 20 | Score 162/7 | Karthik 58 (45) ; Thampi 11 (10)
36 off the last six deliveries needed. Sandeep in now to be smashed for a four by Thampi and then takes a two. 30 off 4 now. Its victory for Punjab (technically). Three singles to follow to make it 9 runs off the five deliveries. Last ball, dot. And Punjab bouncing back to a win after losing four in a row.
Over 19 | Score 153/7 | Karthik 57 (42) ; Thampi 3 (6)
Mohit into the attack now and starts off with a wide. 40 off 12 balls now. After two troubling deliveries, Karthik finally gets a two. Mohit indeed is showing some excellent variations in this over.
Over 18 | Score 148/7 | Karthik 54 (37) ; Thampi 3 (5)
Fifty came up for Karthik in the last over. Commendable indeed for the keeper-batsman, who has been struggling at crease amid all the wickets falling around him. Natarajan up for his third over now. Three singles off the first half of the over. And two more to follow and then a wide. Dot to finish.
Over 17 | Score 142/7 | Karthik 52 (35) ; Thampi 1 (1)
18 runs an over needed and Karthik starts with a bang. Sandeep's first delivery, slow to the leg and he flicks it over square-leg for a boundary. Third ball, shorter to the off and Tye pulls it hard, upper edge of the bat to arc over the keeper for a boundary again. And then the WICKET. Yorker along the middle line and Tye couldnt read it right and the bails go all red.
AJ Tye b Sandeep Sharma 22 (12b)
Its Basil Thampi now to assist Dinesh at strike. Last ball, Karthik anticipates the outside off delivery and switch hits down point for a boundary.
Over 16 | Score 128/6 | Karthik 43 (32) ; Tye 18 (10)
And it is Mohit Sharma into the attack now for his third over. Mohit showing variations and hammering the duo with his slow deliveries. Just six off the five deliveries so far. Single to end it. Strategic time-out
Over 15 | Score 121/6 | Karthik 40 (29) ; Tye 15 (7)
And it is Axar Patel in for his share of final over. All upto Karthik now to bring back Lions' hope. But is is Tye who goes for the maximum. Slogs it high over midwicket for a six. Boundary off the last ball with a leg glance from Tye.
Over 14 | Score 106/6 | Karthik 38 (27) ; Tye 2 (3)
And it is Cariappa into his fourth and final over and makes it two-for-two. Aksdeep Nath, the debutant, walks in to depart for a golden duck. Carrom ball and that did the damage.
AD Nath lbw b Cariappa 0 (1b)
On a HAT-TRICK....no, just inches past the bat of Andrew Tye. Big smile from the Umpire as he denies the wicket.
Over 13 | Score 102/5 | Karthik 36 (25) ;
Dwayne Smith is the new batsman in. Need to pull forth their score and whack a couple a boundaries for his side. Fourth delivery, off his backfoot, sweeps it down square-leg and four it is. With that 100 up for the Lions. But thats it. Short part to play indeed. Smith goes hard and Stoinis there at long-off to take his second catch in the match.
DR Smith c Stoinis b Patel 4 (4b)
Over 12 | Score 95/4 | Karthik 33 (23) ;
Cariappa into the attack now for his third over now. Goes across the wicket to Jadeja, full toss and he drives it down mid-off for a single. Five runs scored off the five deliveries bowled till now and the last one...WICKET. Sensational from the spinner and Jadeja is the man to depart off the leading edge- Caught and Bowled.
RA Jadeja c & b Cariappa 9 (7b)
Over 11 | Score 90/3 | Karthik 31 (20) ; Jadeja 6 (4)
Axar Patel comes back into the attack now for his second over now. Asking rate is now crawling to a point where they need at least two boundaries each over to maintain the target chase. And here it comes. Outside off and Jadeja, late cut down point for a boundary.
Over 10 | Score 82/3 | Karthik 28 (17) ; Jadeja 1 (1)
Stoinis in for his first over of the day while Ravindra Jadeja is the new batsman. Two quick twos off the first two deliveries. Fifth ball, slow, short to the leg and Karthik pulls it hard over midwicket for a four.
Over 9 | Score 70/3 | Karthik 19 (12) ;
And it is Axar Patel into the attack now but Karthik, smashes the first delivery over midwicket for a boundary. Last ball and a splendid way to finish off the over. WICKET! Raina looking for the big one, goes for it, strikes it high towards deep midwicket and Gleen Maxwell...ohh just near the ropes, takes it. Dream catch indeed. That was Axar's 50 T20 IPL wicket.
SK Raina c Maxwell b Patel 32 (24b)
Over 8 | Score 63/2 | Karthik 13 (9) ; Raina 31 (21)
Change of bowling now as T Natarajan comes in for his second spell in the day. Two singles from the duo off the first two deliveries bowled. Bowler then goes for a slower delivery and Karthik drives it down to long-off. Just five off the over, so good from the youngster. Strategic time-out.
Over 7 | Score 58/2 |Karthik 10 (6) ; Raina 29 (18)
And it is Cariappa into the attack now for his second over now. Three singles combining from the either two at crease off the first four deliveries bowled. Fifth ball, turning out and Dinesh smashes it down cover for a boundary.
Over 6 | Score 50/2 |Karthik 4 (2) ; Raina 27 (16)
Last over of power-play and Mohit Sharma gets the opportunity to finish it off. First ball, over-pitched to the off and Raina cuts it down point for a single. Dot to follow. Then a two runs- Finch initially takes a risky single off the strike down to cover and then a single from the overthrow. Fourth delivery, wide and full and Finch strikes it to the cover off from his toe, in the air and Stoinis takes the catch...and there is a need for a confirmation now. Soft dismissal is OUT. And the third umpire says-OUT too.
AJ Finch c Stoinis b Sharma 13 (12b)
Dinesh Karthik is the new man in. Gets off the mark with a boundary. Shot, to the leg and he pulls it back to fine leg for a boundary.
Over 5 | Score 43/1 | Finch 11 (9) ; Raina 26 (15)
Cariappa introduced into the power-play now for his first over. First ball, spinning out and Raina flicks it through midwicket magnificently to get a boundary. Seven runs scored off the four deliveries bowled till now. And a dot ball to follow. And a dot to finish.
Over 4 | Score 36/1 | Finch 11 (7) ; Raina 19 (11)
New bowler into the attack now- it is T Natarajan. Two singles off the two deliveries by the either batsmen and then a dot ball to follow. Outside off full toss and Raina cuts it down cover to get a two. Last ball, shorter to the off and Finch crunches it high over long-off for a six.
Over 3 | Score 25/1 | Finch 4 (5) ; Raina 15 (7)
Sandeep Sharma into the attack now. And off the first delivery Raina punishes the pacer for a boundary. Good length, off line and he hammers it to the long-on region for the four. Fifth ball, fuller to the off again and Raina cuts it down point for a boundary.
Over 2 | Score 14/1 | Finch 3 (3) ; Raina 5 (3)
And it is skipper Suresh Raina at the crease now as Mohit Sharma runs into the attack now. Second ball, short to the off and Finch slices it high just centimetres over Maxwell at mid-on. Saved! Fourth ball, line not right at all, to the leg and Raina using the pace drifts it to fine leg for a boundary.
Over 1 | Score 6/1 | Finch 0 (0) ;
This is surely not a bad total posted by the Kings, given that the the team had mostly new batsman whilst nearing their innings. Much to do for the openers now as Baz and Finch makes their way to the middle. And Sandeep Sharam, as usual will be looking to swing in firts for the Kings.
First ball, and thats a boundary, Outside off, slight back off the length and Baz cuts it off his back-foot down cover for a four. And same again, but saved in the deep, two from it. Three dot balls to follow and the last ball, WICKET. Shock! Back of the length, full toss and Baz missed it completely as the ball strikes his pad in line with middle stump.
BB McCullum lbw b Sandeep Sharma 6 (6b )
GL need 189 runs to win off 120 deliveries
KINGS XI PUNJAB
Over 20 | Score 188/7 | ; Mohit 4 (3)
Last six deliveries to be bowled and Thampi into the attack. First ball, following the batsman, goes for the yorker pressing to the leg and Saha gets a single. Four off the first half off the over. Fifth ball, Thampi fails to get the yorker right and Saha gets the better off it to strike a maximum. But departs foolishly off the last ball on a run out.
WP Saha run out 10 (5b)
Over 19 | Score 176/6 | Saha 1 (1) ; Mohit 1 (1)
Just 12 more deliveries to go and Dwayne Smith comes into the attack now. What plan could this be? Well doesnt work for Axar as he goes first for a six over cover and then a outside edge strike down to third man for a boundary. And the rampage continues from Axar. Six again, skyrockets it over the long on region dismissing it into the crowd. And then it over. Axar departs while going for the big one but Finch timing his running perfectly to take the catch at long-on.
AR Patel c Finch b Smith 34 (17b)
Mohit Sharam is at the crease now along with Wriddhiman Saha.
Over 18 | Score 158/5 | Saha 0 (0) ; Axar 18 (13)
And it is Andrew Tye back into the attack. This will be his last over, by the way. Four runs scored off the first half off the over. Fifth delivery, and it is the knuckle ball again, good length and Stoinis looking for the big one, but too short off the boundary as Baz there at long-off to take it.
MP Stoinis c McCullum b Tye 7 (9b)
Over 17 | Score 152/4 | Stoinis 4 (6) ; Axar 15 (10)
And it is Nathu Singh up into the attack for his third over now. Has been brilliant so far. But pulls away from the run up. Short discussion between Raina and the umpires and the ball is now given to Basil Thampi. Two dot balls to start off with. Well, Nathu is being given some treatment in the sidelines, meanwhile. Fourth ball, well outside off and fuller to and Axar elegantly muscles it over the bowler for a four.
Over 16 | Score 143/4 | Stoinis 3 (3) ; Axar 8 (7)
Andrew Tye up for his third over now and is also the first of the death overs. Not a good time for the Kings to have two new batsman to be at the crease. For the Lions, they can bank on this fact to add on their concern and trouble the duo from settling down. Last ball, slightly off and Axar volleys it in style over the bowler, one bounce and over the rope.
Over 15 | Score 135/4 | Stoinis 1 (1) ; Axar 2 (3)
And now it is Ravindra Jadeja up for his last over and he gets his man. Second ball, Maxwell looking for the reverse sweep, low and hard, but the ball spins too quick to strike the front pad in line with the middle stump and Umpire raises his finger.
GJ Maxwell lbw b Jadeja 31 (18b )
That is two consecutive big wickets for the Lions. Marcus Stoinis and Axar Patel are the two new batsman.
Over 14 | Score 128/3 | 0 (0) ; Maxwell 27 (16)
Subham Agarwal noe up for his fourth and final over only to be battered for a six, downtown by Maxwell off the second delivery. And then again off the fourth delivery, smacks the high full toss over midwicket. And thena joy for the youngster as he gets rid of the dangerous Amla. Last ball, flat one and Amla slashes it downtown, but in the air and Subham takes it. Caught and bowled.
HM Amla c & b Agarwal 65 (40b)
Over 13 | Score 114/2 | Amla 64 (37) ; Maxwell 14 (12)
And it is Jadeja for his third over now. But Amla continues with his rampage. Fourth delivery, flatter one and he unleashes a stunner down to the boundary. 10 off the over.
Over 12 | Score 104/2 | Amla 56 (34) ; Maxwell 12 (10)
And Basil Thampi returns back for his second over only to be punished off the first delivery for a six. Short one and he swivels it off his backfoot over midwicket for the maximum. Third delivery, fuller to the off stump and Amla drives it down cover for a four. 13 runs off the five deliveries bowled o far and the last ball goes for a dot.
Over 11 | Score 91/2 | Amla 51 (31) ; Maxwell 4 (5)
Subham Agarwal yet again, this time for his third over. Ohh...well he is troubling Maxwell. First for the reverse sweep and then a switch hit and both in vain. Just three off the over. Excellent comeback from the youngster.
Over 10 | Score 88/2 | Amla 50 (30) ; Maxwell 2 (2)
Andrew Tye into the attack after that short strategic time-out and gets rid of Shaun Marsh. Third delivery, vicious knuckle ball and Marsh just flicks it off to cover. Skipper there right in position to finish that soft dismissal. Important, important wicket for the Lions yet again.
SE Marsh c Raina b Tye 30 (24b)
And skipper Glenn Maxwell is the crease now. Last ball, pressing to the leg side and Amla off a leg glance scores a boundary to bring up his fifty.
Over 9 | Score 80/1 | Amla 45 (27) ; Marsh 30 (23)
And it is Ravindra Jadeja continuing into his second over. Fourth ball, slower through the air placing it near his toe and Amla flicks it high over long-off for a maximum. And then a boundary off a leg glance. Another expensive over from the Lions- 13 off it.
Over 8 | Score 67/1 | Amla 32 (22) ; Marsh 29 (22)
After an expensive first over Subham Agarwal returns for his second over. But Marsh continues with his punishment. Second ball, pitching slightly to the off and he steps out to whack it over long-off for a six. Next delivery, more to the off and he again steps out to smash it down cover for a four. 14 off the over.
Over 7 | Score 53/1 | Amla 33 (21) ; Marsh 17 (17)
And it is Ravindra Jadeja into the attack now. Just two singles in the first four deliveries bowled. And it ends with three in total.
Over 6 | Score 50/1 | Amla 31 (18) ; Marsh 15 (14)
Last over of power-play, so last chance for the Kings to get the better of the boundary. And they do. Slow ball from Andrew Tye and Amla smacks it hard down the line, way over the bowler, for a boundary. And he goes roring again. Third ball, offside, over-pitched and he slices it down covers for a four again. That's the second four in three balls. And then a six. Down the line, just over the fielder near the rope.
Over 5 | Score 36/1 | Amla 17 (12) ; Marsh 15 (14)
And it is their start pacer Basil Thampi into the attack now. Splendid so far in the tournament, specially in the death over. Second ball, flatter, seaming off as Marsh pulls it hard down midwicket to get an early boundary in the over. Five runs scored so far in the over from the four deliveries bowled. And Marsh finishes off the over with a boundary down cover.
Over 4 | Score 25/1 | Amla 15 (10) ; Marsh 7 (10)
Nathu Singh comes back into the attack for his second over. After first two dot balls, Amla cuts the slow outside off third delivery down to third man to rotate strike with a single. Two off the next three deliveries.
Over 3 | Score 22/1 | Amla 14 (6) ; Marsh 6 (8)
And it is skipper Suresh Raina into the attack now. Starts off with three dot balls and then a paused delivery to which Marsh gets a single with a drive down midwicket. Fifth delivery, spinning in as Amla makes room to crunch it down point for a four.
Over 2 | Score 16/1 | Amla 9 (4) ; Marsh 5 (4)
Another debutant youngster Nathu Singh into the attack now. Right arm fast medium. Second ball, outside seaming ball, off the outside edge of Vohra's bat, flies straight to the keeper Dinesh Karthik. The man with a gritty 95 in their previous departs real early in the game.
M Vohra c Karthik b Singh 2 (4b)
Shaun Marsh is the new man in and immediately gets off the mark with a four. Over-pitched ball, near his toe as he drives it down cover for a boundary.
Over 1 | Score 11/0 | Amla 9 (4) ; Vohra 2 (2)
As we head into the 26th game of the Indian Premier League, a big, big blow for the beleaguered Gujarat Lions- all-rounder Dwayne Bravo will be out of action for the next 3-4 weeks owing to injury. As for this match, a total of 4 changes has been made for which few younsters like Akhsdeep Nath, Subham Agarwal will be playing the evening' encounter with The Kings. Nothing for the latter has changed for in this game.
So, leg-break bowler Subham Agarwal is in position to open the attack for the Lions as Vohra is at strike.
First ball, single to get off the mark with a drive down mid-off. Amla at strike, and he starts off with a four. Outside placed as Amla comfortably crunches it down cover. Last ball, turning his feet again, Amla cuts the outside turning in ball down point for a boundary.
15:42 IST: KXIP XI: H Amla, M Vohra, G Maxwell, W Saha, S Marsh, MP Stoinis, A Patel, KC Cariappa, T Natarajan, M Sharma, Sandeep Sharma
GL XI: A Finch, B McCullum, S Raina, D Karthik, DR Smith, R Jadeja, A Nath, S Agarwal, A Tye, B Thampi, N Singh
15:37 IST: A number of changes have been introduced by both teams. We'll reveal the changes in a shortwhile!
TOSS! Suresh Raina wins toss and elects to bowl first.
15:28 IST: Just a couple of minutes fore before we have the two captains out in the middle for the toss. Stay tuned!
15: 13 IST: Here's a look at the points table ahead of the match 26:-
#IPL - Here's how teams are placed at the end of Match 25 pic.twitter.com/xQS9jM5AVZ
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 23, 2017
15:05 IST: Less than an hour left before the match begins at Saurashtra Cricket Stadium.
Two struggling sides, Gujarat Lions and Kings XI Punjab, go head-to-head in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017 encounter at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium today.
Suresh Raina-led Gujarat will be hopeful of their chances of getting a victory from the tie, having defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by 4 wickets after the skipper produced one of the best performances of the season so far. The win helped Lions end 3-match losing streak but bowlers' under-par performances still remain a puzzle to be solved for today's hosts. (IPL 2017 - Full Coverage)
Punjab, meanwhile, have lost four match on the trot and are desperate to end their winless run against today's opponents who sit bottom of the IPL 10 standings. The Glenn Maxwell-led side also have concerns over their bowling after Mumbai Indians chased down a target of 199 within 16 overs in their last encounter.
Here's everything you need to know about IPL Match 26:-
Predicted playing XIs:
Kings XI Punjab: Hashim Amla, Manan Vohra, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell (captain), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Axar Patel, Mohit Sharma, Sandeep Sharma, Varun Aaron, Ishant Sharma
Gujarat Lions: Brendon McCullum, Aaron Finch, Suresh Raina (captain), Dwayne Smith, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Ishan Kishan, Ravindra Jadeja, James Faulkner, Praveen Kumar, Dhawal Kulkarni, Basil Thampi
When and where to watch the match:-
Date & Time: April 23 (Sunday) at 16:00 pm IST
Venue: Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot, Gujarat
TV Listing: Sony Six, Sony Six HD, Sony ESPN, Sony ESPN HD and SET MAX.
Live Streaming: Sony LIV, Hotstar
As far as the head to head record is concerned, Lions and Kings XI have a 1-1 record against each other, after they won their respective away games in the previous season.
