KEY HIGHLIGHTS
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Match 54 of the ongoing IPL 2020 edition saw the Eoin Morgan-led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) humiliate Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Dubai.
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After KXIP’s elimination eased the workload for KKR and RR marginally, the two teams still had plenty to play for as a huge win would have given them a solid chance to qualify further.
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The same happened as an inconsistent KKR lineup rose to the occasion, riding on an unbeaten 68* off 35 balls from captain Morgan and Pat Cummins’ all-round show, as the two-time winners romped past RR by 60 runs.
#KKR win by 60 runs to keep their hopes alive in #Dream11IPL 2020. pic.twitter.com/aISfVK98zJ
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) November 1, 2020
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Opting to bowl first, the Smith-led RR camp relied on chasing once again. While Jofra Archer again struck early to remove in-form opener, Nitish Rana, for 0, RR bowlers never managed to keep a check on the run-flow. Shubman Gill and Rahul Tripathy got starts and stitched a handy 72-run stand for the second-wicket before regular breakthroughs, by Rahul Tewatia and Shreyas Gopal, pulled things back for the 2008 winners.
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Morgan held his end firmly and got support in the form of useful cameos from Andre Russell and Cummins to take KKR to a daunting 194-7. Morgan’s inning was laced with 5 fours and 6 huge sixes.
Altroz Super Striker of Match 54 between @KKRiders and @rajasthanroyals is Andre Russell. @TataMotors_Cars #AltrozSuperStriker #Dream11IPL pic.twitter.com/6p3zyGuCiM
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) November 1, 2020
United diagnosticss
Unacademy Lets Crack It Sixes of the Match award for Match 54 goes to Eoin Morgan.@unacademy #LetsCrackIt #Dream11IPL pic.twitter.com/HhsM8xId1g
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) November 1, 2020
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In reply, RR’s run-chase never got going. For a side which has thrived on chasing, versus CSK, Mumbai Indians (MI), KXIP earlier in the season, they seemed to be in a bit of a hurry (maybe due to the NRR factor).
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Ben Stokes played his shots but fell for 18 whereas the likes of Smith, Robin Uthappa, Sanju Samson fell early. Jos Buttler and Tewatia held their ends but the required run-rate and regular loss of wickets had pushed RR considerably by then.
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Cummins stood tall in a must-win game for KKR and the team management as well as the co-owners would be thrilled to bits as the Aussie pacer broke RR’s backbone from the word go.
Match 54 – A four-wicket haul for Pat Cummins and he is rewarded with the Man of the Match award.#Dream11IPL pic.twitter.com/dfPo11oJwC
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) November 1, 2020
Dream11 GameChanger of Match 54 between @KKRiders and @rajasthanroyals is Pat Cummins. @Dream11 #YeApnaGameHai #Dream11IPL pic.twitter.com/TYpT1DhStK
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) November 1, 2020
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He pitched it in the right areas, was helped by a stunner from Dinesh Karthik, to return with 4 for 34. In addition, Varun Chakravarthy, Shivam Mavi chipped in with four scalps combined.
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While a win in excess of 75 runs would have given KKR a major boost and also confirmed them a playoff spot, it wasn’t the case as RR managed for 131 for 9 in 20 overs. However, they would be pleased with their clinical show. They would now hope for SRH to be eliminated versus MI in their last tie to progress further.
