KKR vs PBKS 2021: Punjab wins high scoring encounter

IPL, KKR vs PBKS 2021: Shahrukh Khan turned the match upside down with his muscular batting for PBKS. Punjab army just marginally avoids the defeat in a thriller at Dubai International Stadium.

leading from the front, KL Rahul set the tone early with his fellow opener Mayank Agarwal erecting a 70 runs partnership. And Shahrukh Khan put an end to the show.

KKR dropped a few of the opportunities coming along the way. Skipper Eoin Morgan dropped Mayank at the opening while Rahul Tripathi could have taken the game a bit further with Shahrukh’s last hit which resulted in a six. Hard luck for KKR vs PBKS 2021!

Venkatesh Iyer was superb in his start as he scores yet another 50 runs. Looking solid all along his innings, he blasted nine boundaries and a six in his innings.

Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami, and Ravi Bishnoi were absolutely cracking. Arshadeep with a dream ball swinging into Gill smashed the stumps apart.

Meanwhile, Ravi Bishnoi’s great form continues picking up well-set Iyer and Tripathi. Nathan Ellis was on the expensive end of the spectrum giving 46 runs from 4 overs.

Nitish Rana’s small but lightning cameo pushed KKR to a very competitive total of 165 runs. But looking at the way pitch was behaving and chasing is comparatively easy, PBKS had an upper hand.

Shahrukh Khan’s finishing touch to the game broke KKR’s dream of another comeback against Punjab like RR. With KL Rahul sent off to the pavilion by Venkatesh Iyer, KKR’s eyes lit up for a comeback. If however, Rahul Tripathi had got the catch at the last hit, it would definitely be a different story.

As usual, Varun Chakravarthy had an amazing performance, picking up Mayank and Nicholas Pooran.

KL Rahul takes the orange cap from Shikhar Dhawan with the Man of the Match performance and a total of 489 runs.

Watch the KKR vs PBKS 2021 highlights.

What does a lose for KKR vs PBKS 2021?

KKR having lost the game, has given the opportunity to MI for a playoff spot. Mumbai Indians are at 10 points and a game in hand too. If they win their next match, they will acquire the 4th spot with 2 points clear than the rest. But MI’s next match is against the DC which are currently second and just a win away from the playoff.

Meanwhile, PBKS now moves at the fifth position with same points as KKR. for them too MI vs DC’s encounter will be crucial to watch.

Player interviews.

KL Rahul

“We are used to close finishes now and will take the two points. We played this game smartly and we realized early that it was a decent wicket. We went slightly defensive with the ball, as it was coming onto the bat nicely. I would like to finish the games and this win will give us a lot of confidence.”

“(Harpreet Brar’s exclusion) These types of things kill me as a skipper and We kept him out with a heavy heart as Gayle was out of the bubble and we needed to chop things up. He (Shahrukh Khan) has worked really hard with the coaches and in the nets and he is somebody who can finish games. Hopes that he can continue the same. The talk in the dressing room has been to not worry about the results and there is no point in putting unnecessary pressure on themselves.”

Eoin Morgan

“We did not field too well and we put catches down and it cost us. We fought hard and batted well too also had a par score on this deck.”

“(on KL Rahul’s not out decision) I thought it was out in real-time but the third umpire had a look at that in slow motion and he had the final call. It would be very nice to get that wicket.”

” It was not an easy pitch to start on and Rana played very well and cashed in when necessary, but towards the end, we failed to capitalize on the platform that was set.”

“His(Venkatesh Iyer) attitude is fantastic and he plays very fearlessly with the bat and takes responsibility with the ball too. We have played some great cricket in the second half of the tournament and we will fight hard in the remaining games.”