A Thrilling Defeat of RPS by KKR at IPL 2016

In the attacking battle of the match 20 of the 2016 Indian Premier League (IPL), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) were managed to get over the line of defeat by the super sixes which are hit by Umesh Yadav in the final over. This match was supposed to be won by the Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS) as they have tallied the wins to four out of five matches, but their dreams crashed by the super attack of KKR.

Dhoni’s team in order to defeat KKR as a skipper has made a total of 160 of which most runs were contributed by Ajinkya Rahane, 67 and MS Dhoni’s late furious runs. But the hardy contribution that 49-ball 60-run knock from Suryakumar Yadav ensured that KKR were the winning team at the end of the night at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune on Sunday.

During the innings break Shakib Al Hasan admitted that on a tricky wicket basis a total run of 160 is quite satisfactory to win against KKR as there are already 10 runs more than KKR capability. With tremendous batting attack, RPS somehow managed the way to attack 100 runs for 3 in the first 15 overs but in the last 5 overs they are capable of 60 with courtesy Albie Morkel (16 off nine balls) and Dhoni’s (23* off 12 balls).

The most successful opening pair in 2016 IPL: Robin Uthappa and Gautam Gambhir– were stick to the wicket and safely maintained the momentum for RPS. Young Suryakumar designated as vice-captain of the team did not disappoint his team though his successful playing. KKR was placed at 59 for 2 after the Powerplay overs.

The turning point of defeat for RPS happened due to the faulty bowling of lengthy balls by the fast bowlers. Though Dhoni’s splendid performance in this match was a winning ticket RPS but their bowlers mainly showed them the way to defeat. Rajat Bhatia took the wicket of Shakib Al Hasan, but Suryakumar got the company of Yusuf Pathan (36) and started rebuilding the innings. This KKR duo managed to keep the scorecard ticking and Suryakumar reached is maiden IPL 50 off 39 balls. Pathan started to threaten with a couple of tricky bowls as to maintain the momentum in KKR’s favor. KKR had scored 111 runs when this duo got separated and Pathan was trapped in front by Bhatia in the 15th over for 36.

Thus KKR become ahead and from this point the game turned in favor of KKR. In the event of the last seven runs needed, Perera gave away two runs and proceeded to remove Piyush Chawla, but Umesh’s marvelous slow batting landed his team near the sight-screen to end the game in his team’s favor with two wickets in hand.