Can DC Chase Down KKR's 204? Starc Shines with 3-42!

New Delhi, April 29 (NationPress) Mitchell Starc, the left-arm paceman, claimed figures of 3-42, while both Vipraj Nigam and captain Axar Patel took two wickets each, contributing to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) scoring 204/9 in their 20 overs against Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday.

On a pitch that provided little grip yet favored batting, KKR's batters delivered swift performances at an excellent strike rate, despite DC conceding 15 extras. However, they struggled in the middle overs against DC’s spin trio, managing only 45 runs in the last five overs.

It will be intriguing to see if DC can chase down the total, particularly if dew plays a role. Additionally, they must assess whether Axar can bat after sustaining a left-hand injury during fielding.

KKR kicked off the innings explosively, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz targeting Starc for boundaries through mid-off and cover-point. Sunil Narine capitalized on Dushmantha Chameera’s fuller deliveries, hitting two sixes and a four, with a remarkable one-handed six standing out as they racked up 25 runs in the second over.

Gurbaz continued his assault against Starc, hitting two fours and a six behind square, including a stunning steer past short third. Ultimately, Starc had the last laugh, as Gurbaz edged a yorker to the keeper for 26. Narine reached KKR’s fastest fifty of the season with a four off Mukesh Kumar, while skipper Ajinkya Rahane dazzled.

Against Starc’s variations, Rahane exhibited his best form, pulling a six over square leg and flicking a four through mid-wicket. Against Mukesh, he capitalized on width, slicing through the off-side as KKR concluded the power-play at 79/1.

Following this, DC staged a mini-recovery when Narine attempted a quicker ball from leg-spinner Nigam, getting trapped lbw for 27. Axar then bowled four consecutive overs, making significant inroads – his slider trapped Rahane lbw for 26, and a non-turning delivery accounted for Venkatesh Iyer, who miscued a slog to cover.

Amidst this, Raghuvanshi pressured DC with two stunning sixes down the ground off Nigam, one sailing straight and the other clearing the long-on fence.

In his final over, Axar appealed for a catch down leg against Rinku but received little support from keeper Abishek Porel. Replays revealed that Rinku would have been dismissed, as an edge was detected.

Rinku capitalized on his lucky break, pulling Kuldeep Yadav off the backfoot for four, before advancing down the pitch to hit a four and six off him. The partnership for the fifth wicket reached 61 runs before Chameera dismissed Raghuvanshi, who sliced a slower leg-cutter to deep cover for 44.

In the following over, Rinku fell for 36 after holing out to long-on off Nigam. Andre Russell struck Chameera’s full and wide deliveries for two boundaries in the 19th over, one resulting from a misfield in the deep.

Russell then showcased his power, smashing Starc for a colossal six down the ground, pushing KKR past the 200 mark, before Starc trapped Rovman Powell lbw with a precise yorker. Chameera executed a remarkable catch to dismiss Anukul Roy, while Russell was run out for 17.

Brief scores:

Kolkata Knight Riders 204/9 in 20 overs (Angkrish Raghuvanshi 44, Rinku Singh 36; Mitchell Starc 3-42, Axar Patel 2-27) against Delhi Capitals